NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics the favorites for Kevin Love
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It makes sense – the Bulls hold two first round draft picks, the 16th-overall and 19th-overall selections, have young talent like big man Taj Gibson and wings Jimmy Butler and Tony Snell and have a huge need for someone who can score.
However, Chad Ford of ESPN.com believes the Boston Celtics can offer the best package for Love by using the sixth-overall and 17th-overall selections in the first round combined future first round picks and young big men like Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. The Celtics have plenty of assets from their trade of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets last year.
That’s why Julian Edlow of WEEI in Boston believes the Celtics will land Love on draft night next week.
"Too many teams to list have been rumored to be in on the Love sweepstakes. But has Love visited any of those cities for a weekend on his personal time just to “check it out”? Whatever is/was cooking between Boston and Minnesota certainly is not dead.So what’€™s the holdup?Maybe Saunders, Minnesota’s president of basketball operations and new coach, is being stubborn — he would be unwillingly giving up his best player. Maybe he is awaiting a better offer to accept or take back to show Ainge. Or maybe Saunders is just stalling, in hopes of Love changing his mind."
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.