NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics still confident they can land Kevin Love

After Minnesotas Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love took a vacation to Boston last week, the rumors around Love and one of his potential destinations, the Celtics, hit new heights. [related-category

Of course, trading for Love is going to be tough to do. The Timberwolves aren’t exactly thrilled with the assets the Celtics can offer for Love and remain confident they can keep Love.

However, Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe reports the Celtics are still confident they can land Love.

"As one of several teams trying to land Love, the Celtics’ biggest edge over other suitors is their war chest of assets, the bulk of which are draft picks — including as many as 17 over the next five years, 10 of them in the first round.They can also offer promising young players on their rookie contracts, such as forwards Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk, along with other contracts to facilitate the deal.The Celtics remain confident that they can make a competitive offer on par with any that another team could make, even if that means getting creative, including perhaps involving another team in the deal, league sources said.With that said, aside from being team president, Saunders is part owner of the Timberwolves and thinking long term is, of course, a key part of his responsibilities.So it’s not as though Saunders would be against acquiring draft picks, especially unprotected first-round picks, which the Celtics have acquired from the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers."

Love averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season while  shooting 45.7% from the field, 37.6% from three and 82.1% from the charity stripe.