NBA Rumors: Would Chicago Bulls contend for a title with Kevin Love?
Either Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love or New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony (or perhaps both) will be the big prize this offseason.
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Love has a year left on his deal, but his agent says that Love will not be signing an extension. Anthony can either remain with the Knicks for another year or opt out of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are all reportedly going to be major players for at least on of the two stars.
Recent reports have indicated the Phoenix Suns are going to make guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe available, which could make them the favorites to land Love.
The Bulls, however, have plenty of assets and could be a major player for Love. They have two first round draft picks this year, the 16th-overall and 19th-overall selections and have several talented young players like power forward Taj Gibson and swingman Jimmy Butler. Plus, they own the rights to Nikola Mirotic, who currently plays for Real Madrid.
However, K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune raises concerned about just how good the Bulls would be after trading off all of their assets and using minimum salary players and rookies to build around their core of center Joakim Noah, point guard Derrick Rose and Love.
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.