Kevin Love trade rumors look to dominate this offseason, with reports surfacing that Love has given the Minnesota Timberwolves a blunt ultimatum: trade him or lose him to free agency. The Boston Celtics are reportedly willing to offer their 2014 lottery pick for Love, which could be a huge catalyst in getting Love into Celtics green sooner rather than later.
How he’d fit:
Kevin Love would be an instant short in the arm to any team. However, that effect would be even more dramatic if the Celtics are the ones who land the automatic scoring machine. While Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger are serviceable when called on to start (with PERs of 15 and 16.42 respectively), their effectiveness could be magnified with both of them coming off the bench.
Also, don't downplay the effect that Kevin Love would have on Rajon Rondo. If the Celtics can somehow work out a sign-and-trade for Love, they will have just dramatically increased their chances of keeping Rondo in free agency after the 2014-15 season. Rondo's game would also get a huge boost, as the inevitable double-teams that will follow Love around will open up the floor for Rondo's creative passing style to really let loose.
Likelihood of a deal:
It is almost a 100% certainty that any move to acquire Kevin Love will mean the end of Jeff Green's time with the Boston Celtics. Green has one year and $9.2 million left on his deal, along with a player option for the same amount in 2015-16. The Celtics could very well find a way to package Green into the deal with the Wolves or ship him off to a mid-level Eastern Conference contender such as the Washington Wizards.
While Love doesn't instantly make the Celtics a championship threat, he does provide a huge piece to the puzzle with known upside. The Celtics would be throwing away their lottery ticket in one of the deepest drafts in years, but no one would blame them if they took the chance.
Likelihood: Very solid
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