NBA Rumors: Lakers will be a 'major player' for Kevin Love, more likely to deal at trade deadline

Although recent reports have indicated Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love will be dealt on draft night, the Timberwolves aren’t in any hurry to deal him.

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The Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are all reportedly going to be players for Love. It seemed like the Warriors were the favorites to land Love with a package that included power forward David Lee, guard Klay Thompson and other assets like a future first round pick, forward Harrison Barnes or forward Draymond Green. However, their unwillingness to part Thompson has killed that deal.

The Celtics and Bulls both have multiple first round picks and young talent while the Nuggets are reportedly offering up power forward Kenneth Faried and swingman Wilson Chandler, along with the 11th-overall pick in the first round of Thursday’s draft.

Of course, the team that most thought Love would ultimately wind up with is still squarely in the mix. Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors believes the Los Angeles Lakers are a “major player” for Love, but are more likely to make a deal at the trade deadline.

"There are conflicting reports on the Lakers’ interest in the MCW-Thad Young deal, so it’s tough to say whether that’s genuinely an option. I definitely think they’re a major player in the Love sweepstakes, though I believe it’s more likely they’d land him at the deadline, when they’d be able to trade guys they sign this summer, than at the draft."

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.

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NBA Rumors: Lakers will be a ‘major player’ for Kevin Love, more likely to deal at trade deadline

By Andrew Melnick | Jun 23, 2014