Kevin Love rumors: New York Knicks to target Love in 2015?
The New York Knicks met their biggest goal this offseason – re-signing forward Carmelo Anthony. They also dealt center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks for point guard Jose Calderón, center Samuel Dalambert, swingman Wayne Ellington, point guard Shane Larkin and two second round picks, the 34th and 51st-overall selections in last month’s draft. They used those picks on Wichita State Shockers’ swingman Cleanthony Early and Greek swingman Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the brother of Milwaukee Bucks’ swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Knicks received the draft picks they desired but also had bigger goals.
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The Knicks reportedly had higher hopes than we thought and made an offer for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love. Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors believes the Knicks will have a shot at Love if he makes it to free agency in 2015.
"I think the Knicks actually would have a shot at Love if Love somehow hits free agency next summer without having been traded to a place he’d like to stay. Hardaway Jr. is just about off-limits so aside from a Love trade, I think he stays. Larkin is an unknown commodity for the Knicks, so he would be more more likely to go than Hardaway. But Phil Jackson realizes that team needs young talent, so I don’t think he’s all that anxious to deal Larkin away so quickly."
Love, of course can opt out of the final year of his deal after next year and become an unrestricted free agent. Although he has said otherwise, it is widely believed he will give the team he’s traded to an assurance he will re-sign, provided he is sent to a team he wants to play for. 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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