The Chicago Bulls are reportedly reasserting themselves in the Kevin Love trade sweepstakes but Cleveland is still maintaining a strong lead according to Sports Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Power Forward is currently the biggest name on the market and has been pursued by several teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, among others.
Cleveland became the frontrunner in acquiring Kevin Love on the onset of LeBron James' decision to come back home and sign with the team. The team is willing to offer Minnesota the No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins including other trade pieces but apparently did not convince the T-Wolves to pull the trigger on Love, according to ESPN. Kevin Love has already expressed that he would sign long term with the Cavs now that LeBron James is playing for the team.
The Bulls proposal, meanwhile, is yet to be revealed but many believe that it revolves around energetic forward Taj Gibson and defensive wing Jimmy Butler. The team already features a significantly improved front court with the recent addition of former Lakers Center/Power Forward Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic in free agency. If Mirotic is to be part of the package in a trade deal for Love, the Bulls would have to wait 30 days from the time he signed his contract - players cannot be traded 30 days prior to their rookie contract signing.
ESPN's Jackie MacMullan revealed that the Bulls had an offer for Love back in June but have to postpone their plans in acquiring the shooting big man with their pursuit on Carmelo Anthony in free agency. Melo eventually resigned with the New York Knicks for five years so Chicago renewed their commitments on Gasol, Mirotic, Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks in the offseason. Now, the Bulls have reemerged as true contenders for Kevin Love sources said.
It is still unclear why the Bulls are pursuing Love with the addition of Gasol. It's possible that they are looking at moving Gasol to the bench and start Love together with Joakim Noah. If that is the case, then the Bulls will clearly have the best Power Forward-Center rotation in the NBA in the coming season.
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