Kevin Love rumors: Chicago Bulls’ backup plan?
At one time, it looked like the Chicago Bulls were the favorite to land New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony.
More from Chicago Bulls
- NBA Rumors: Warriors, Lakers among contenders for key free agent
- 3 players Bulls can sign with Disabled Player Exception
- NBA free agency: The 3 biggest losers in this offseason so far
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- 5 players Sixers could acquire in Harden deal to stay competitive
Anthony spent the first day of free agency visiting Chicago, watching point guard Derrick Rose work out and meeting with center Joakim Noah, power forward Taj Gibson, head coach Tom Thinbodeau, general manager Gar Forman and owner Jerry Reinsdorf. He also visited with the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, but the Knicks look like the favorite to re-sign Anthony.
According to Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders, acquiring Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love is the Bulls “Plan B.”
"In truth, all of this is “Plan C,” however, as the Bulls are expected to turn their attention to a trade for Kevin Love if/when Anthony makes up his mind. Any deal Chicago makes will likely center around Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler, the rights to Mirotic and some draft picks, but knowing how much Minnesota values Klay Thompson, it’s hard to believe they’d settle for Chicago’s deal, especially as Flip Saunders continues to insist he’d like to hold off on a Love trade."
Love should be considered a backup plan by anyone but in this case, it is believed the Bulls prefer Anthony to 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. Anthony put up 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and shot 45.2% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free throw line last season.