Did anybody see the Kevin Love situation coming?

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

2 extra years would shut him up because he would be under contract for 3 more years for us right now versus the one it is now. These stars aren't forcing their way out with 3 years left on their deals. They are doing it with one which is what Love has now. He would certainly let on his frustration to Flip, but he wouldn't have the leverage to get out like he does now because he would have 3 more guaranteed years left with us. That is when Flip could decide to deal his frustrated star for a better return or keep him because he has him locked up for 3 more years. The trade talk came about because he can leave after this season which gives him the leverage to complain now to try to get out to make Flip panic trade him to get something for him. It becomes an entirely different situation if he is locked in for 3 more years.

[mjs34]

2 extra years would shut him up because he would be under contract for 3 more years for us right now versus the one it is now. These stars aren't forcing their way out with 3 years left on their deals. They are doing it with one which is what Love has now. He would certainly let on his frustration to Flip, but he wouldn't have the leverage to get out like he does now because he would have 3 more guaranteed years left with us. That is when Flip could decide to deal his frustrated star for a better return or keep him because he has him locked up for 3 more years. The trade talk came about because he can leave after this season which gives him the leverage to complain now to try to get out to make Flip panic trade him to get something for him. It becomes an entirely different situation if he is locked in for 3 more years.

Last time I looked he was complaining two years ago to the media. I don't think he cares in the least about how many years he has left on his contract.

[horatio81 [enjin:7751176]]

One other point to make. I don't believe for one minute that Love is leaving because he felt betrayed in the past negotiation. I think Love planned to leave at his earliest possible opportunity, and whether he had one year or three years left on his deal, he could have asked to be traded. The manner in which this all played out, leads me to believe that this was inevitable.

This is my takeaway as well. I firmly believe he intended to leave for a bigger market almost the moment he landed here, and I think he's gone about it in such an ambiguous way so as to obfuscate long term damage to his brand/image. Everything was carefully calculated and measured, including the timing of various leaks and interviews - and I wouldn't put it past him to manufacture some of his team chemistry issues either. He isn't stupid. His agent isn't stupid. This was likely their end game. That's why I am vehemently opposed to trading him to an ideal situation. Did he give this organization his blood sweat and tears like KG? No. We shouldn't capitulate to league-wide, media-driven pressure to send him to the next superteam just so we can say "at least we got sumfink der".

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

One other point to make. I don't believe for one minute that Love is leaving because he felt betrayed in the past negotiation. I think Love planned to leave at his earliest possible opportunity, and whether he had one year or three years left on his deal, he could have asked to be traded. The manner in which this all played out, leads me to believe that this was inevitable.

This is my takeaway as well. I firmly believe he intended to leave for a bigger market almost the moment he landed here, and I think he's gone about it in such an ambiguous way so as to obfuscate long term damage to his brand/image. Everything was carefully calculated and measured, including the timing of various leaks and interviews - and I wouldn't put it past him to manufacture some of his team chemistry issues either. He isn't stupid. His agent isn't stupid. This was likely their end game. That's why I am vehemently opposed to trading him to an ideal situation. Did he give this organization his blood sweat and tears like KG? No. We shouldn't capitulate to league-wide, media-driven pressure to send him to the next superteam just so we can say "at least we got sumfink der".

then why didn't he leave after his first contract? Why did he bash the lakers roster last year? Why isn't he demanding to be sent to the knicks or the lakers? dumbest theory out there

[WildWolf2813]

2 extra years would shut him up because he would be under contract for 3 more years for us right now versus the one it is now. These stars aren't forcing their way out with 3 years left on their deals. They are doing it with one which is what Love has now. He would certainly let on his frustration to Flip, but he wouldn't have the leverage to get out like he does now because he would have 3 more guaranteed years left with us. That is when Flip could decide to deal his frustrated star for a better return or keep him because he has him locked up for 3 more years. The trade talk came about because he can leave after this season which gives him the leverage to complain now to try to get out to make Flip panic trade him to get something for him. It becomes an entirely different situation if he is locked in for 3 more years.

So if he had 2 extra years he'd think "man I'm tired of losing, but it's OK I have time?"

I don't know about you, but if I was that fed up with losing, I wouldn't care if I had 10 years left on my deal. I want out.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

We've been losing for 10 years. Why is this the year that breaks the camel's back? He's been here for 6 of those years. He wants out because his contract has finally shown him the light at the end of the tunnel. That tunnel is a lot longer if he were here for this year plus two more guaranteed. Again, forcing your way out happens at the end of deals, not when a majority of the time on your deal is still yet to come.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

We've been losing for 10 years. Why is this the year that breaks the camel's back? He's been here for 6 of those years. He wants out because his contract has finally shown him the light at the end of the tunnel. That tunnel is a lot longer if he were here for this year plus two more guaranteed. Again, forcing your way out happens at the end of deals, not when a majority of the time on your deal is still yet to come.

Bingo. There wouldn't be anything coming from "Love's camp" if he had two more years on his deal.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Yes. Many of us saw this coming. Or, at least should have. I saw this coming... and wrote about it often.

That's not to toot my own horn. I thought it was pretty obvious.

And I don't blame Kevin Love for wanting out. That's the nature of today's NBA. It was the nature of the NBA 3 years ago too. So for the worst NBA team (at the time) in one of the afterthought, very cold weather NBA cities refusing to give a steadily improving player who just seemingly made the "leap" a max deal... was ridiculously myopic. Shortsighted. Stupid. You name it.

Was Love a guaranteed max guy at the time? No. But the worst team in the league (and 2nd worst franchise in the L) is not in the position to play hardball. The ONLY way teams like MN can compete is by drafting well and sticking with those guys for as long as possible.

You don't give those guys any reason to leave. This is the NBA... those guys WILL leave if you make it as easy as the Wolves did.

[whatdtcom [enjin:6685945]]

I'm glad Kahn didn't give Love the max (years). Honestly, we have been improving in a very tough west despite injuries in what seems EVERY year. Rubio, Love, Pek all have had significant injuries in the past 3 season, yet we've improved each year.

And I know I've said the prior---but the kicker for me was the brief video skit of Love and Pek always being seperated during the all star break and that the Wolves hope that this summer they would stay together just signified that the organization knew that he was on his way out---why else make this video?

Love just stood there with his head down----not one second did he raise his hand to acknowledge to the fans that he wanted to stay. Crazy....any other season ticket holder remember this video at the tail end of the season?

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm glad Kahn didn't give Love the max (years). Honestly, we have been improving in a very tough west despite injuries in what seems EVERY year. Rubio, Love, Pek all have had significant injuries in the past 3 season, yet we've improved each year.

And I know I've said the prior---but the kicker for me was the brief video skit of Love and Pek always being seperated during the all star break and that the Wolves hope that this summer they would stay together just signified that the organization knew that he was on his way out---why else make this video?

Love just stood there with his head down----not one second did he raise his hand to acknowledge to the fans that he wanted to stay. Crazy....any other season ticket holder remember this video at the tail end of the season?

The Wolves starting five was healthier than most other NBA teams in 2013/2014.

And the team still finished below .500.