Kevin Love rumors: Chicago Bulls have ‘essentially conceded’ to Cleveland Cavaliers
After missing out on New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony, the Chicago Bulls used the amnesty clause to waive Carlos Boozer. They then signed Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol and brought Real Madrid forward Nikola Mirotić over from Spain. They have since turned their attention to Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love, offering Mirotić, big man Taj Gibson and former Creighton Blue Jays’ forward Doug McDermott in return.
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The Timberwolves are now only talking to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a deal between the two is now reportedly a matter of “when” and not “if” According to Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, the Bulls have “essentially conceded” Love to the Cavaliers.
"ESPN.com reported last week that the Bulls had re-emerged as a serious suitor for Love, despite the fact that they had a few more trade assets to offer Minnesota before last month’s NBA draft. But sources said this week that Chicago essentially has conceded to the Cavs, knowing it can’t furnish a player with both Wiggins’ superstar potential and his favorable rookie-scale contract."
The Bulls apparently put a deadline and although they likely haven’t faced that deadline, they simply don’t have the assets – the last two number one overall picks, forward Anthony Bennett (2013) and swingman Andrew Wiggins (2014) – the Timberwolves do.
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 last season. Gibson averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists per game last year while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 75.1% from the free throw line. McDermott won the Naismith Award as the country’s best player, putting up a career-high 26.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 52.6% from the field, 44.9% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free throw line. Mirotić averaged 13.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Real Madrid last season.