Warriors exec wouldn’t trade Klay Thompson for Kevin Love straight up

The Golden State Warriors have went back and forth with the Minnesota Timberwolves regarding a Kevin Love trade but the two teams have struggled to find a middle ground. Of course, depending on who you ask they may have agreed on the principals of a deal but after struggling to add in the final pieces, the alleged trade is apparently dead.

More from Golden State Warriors

• Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
• Steph Curry still defends Kevin Durant: ‘Most misunderstood dude’ in the NBA
• NBA Rumors: Warriors, Lakers among contenders for key free agent
• Warriors projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
• Draymond Green blasts Kevin Garnett after falling for a fake tweet

Part of that might be the Golden State Warriors’ reluctance to include Klay Thompson in a deal as Marcus Thompson of the San Jose Mercury News says that one member of the Warriors’ front office wouldn’t trade Thompson for Kevin Love straight up.

Now, Thompson does go on to say that the executive isn’t basing the sentiment off talent alone. Clearly, Love is the more talented player of the two (at least at this stage of their careers), however, Thompson is a bit more versatile given his ability to play multiple positions. For that reason, the unnamed Warriors executive seems to feel that Love for Thompson straight up wouldn’t be in the favor of the Golden State Warriors.

It’s an interesting line of thought, but as talented as Klay Thompson is, you have to think you could find a replacement for such a player. It’s much easier to find a sharp shooting two-guard than it is an All-Star power forward like Love, who likely hasn’t even hit his prime yet.

Don’t get me wrong, both players are extremely talented but in a straight up scenario, it’s hard to think of a situation in which Kevin Love doesn’t come out on top.