Love Visiting Boston This Weekend

[mrhockey89]

Cool, you may be right, but I don't think Flip would have made that comment if he received a legitimate "I have to think about this" offer. Plus it stands to logic that teams wouldn't have put their best offer on the table yet. I don't think Flip is working the phones (as in call-outs). I think he's fielding calls though (I think there's a distinct difference in terms of power positioning there).

If we call his bluff, we get more cap space and then obviously the team loses a major talent, but on the flip side that probably puts us in better position to land a premium draft pick of our own in a near future draft, rather than trying to figure out what player at pick #10 from another team will be the next Paul George.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This may just be wishful thinking on my part so don't kill the idea...

Would it be unreasonable to think that Flip sent Love to Boston telling him to check it out as he might be dealt there, but Flip's grand plan is to use this trip and media attention swirling around Boston as more leverage against Cleveland? Make it look like there's a deal coming into place with the Celts to force the Cavs into making their offer stronger as we get closer to the draft.

It's all a chess game at this point. Each move seems to be strategic, in my opinion.

In my scenario, yes, we'd be using Love as a pon, but it's certainly acceptable if it got CLE to up their ante.

I won't rule out Cleveland's No. 1 pick being available until the draft is over. They've struck out, or hit an infield single, plenty of times the last several years with high picks. Gilbert wants to win now. Going after Love makes a lot of sense to me.

[mrhockey89]

Camden, I think the opposite would be true..if Love falls in love with Boston, then he's going to be less likely to accept a trade to the Cavs. I think Love's got a birdie in his ear, but it's one from Rondo or Ainge. On the bright side, I do think it would entice the Celtics more to give up more assets in order to make it happen, while it doesn't really affect the Wolves needing or not needing to trade Kevin.

[Phenom]

The offers will most certainly get better leading up to draft night. Any team serious about Love that would center their deal around picks need a deal in place by the time the pick is made. Cleveland, Boston, LA, Sacramento, etc. will not want to make the pick without the Wolves telling them who they want. Trying to make a trade with the wrong player drafted won't get the job done.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Not sure how that does anything to quiet the rumors. Flip never said anything regarding whether they have been talking trade with the Celtics.

I'd invite you to click on the links and read all the tweets then decide.

More Flip: "I know there's a feeding frenzy out there from a lot of teams, unfortunately they have no say. I plan on Kevin being here"

Flip's doing his job. It's Love's silence that speaks volumes.

What is Love suppose to say?

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

Camden, I think the opposite would be true..if Love falls in love with Boston, then he's going to be less likely to accept a trade to the Cavs. I think Love's got a birdie in his ear, but it's one from Rondo or Ainge. On the bright side, I do think it would entice the Celtics more to give up more assets in order to make it happen, while it doesn't really affect the Wolves needing or not needing to trade Kevin.

Ok seriously is a team with Love, Rondo and literally nothing else makes the Celtics a winner? they won 25 games last year

[mrhockey89]

Camden, I think the opposite would be true..if Love falls in love with Boston, then he's going to be less likely to accept a trade to the Cavs. I think Love's got a birdie in his ear, but it's one from Rondo or Ainge. On the bright side, I do think it would entice the Celtics more to give up more assets in order to make it happen, while it doesn't really affect the Wolves needing or not needing to trade Kevin.

Ok seriously is a team with Love, Rondo and literally nothing else makes the Celtics a winner? they won 25 games last year

Alex, I think you're forgetting a couple things... Boston would likely still have Sullinger or Olynyk if they traded for Love, they're also in the East, in a big market, Rondo is already an All-Star and surely in his ear. Additionally, Love has stated that he likes that city, and that their coach is a great coach (and he's called their coach a great coach within the past couple days). Clearly he's making it known he'd be happy with being traded there. And again, the Celtics are in the East...a league in which you don't even need 40 wins to make the playoffs.

I think Love is romanticizing the options of where he could be traded to.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Camden, I think the opposite would be true..if Love falls in love with Boston, then he's going to be less likely to accept a trade to the Cavs. I think Love's got a birdie in his ear, but it's one from Rondo or Ainge. On the bright side, I do think it would entice the Celtics more to give up more assets in order to make it happen, while it doesn't really affect the Wolves needing or not needing to trade Kevin.

This isn't baseball where there's no-trade clauses and 10/5 rights. Flip can work a deal with any team regardless of Love's wishes. Would it make it easier and/or bring back more assets if Love said he'd re-sign with the team in question? Sure, but there are GMs/owners that feel like they can make the unthinkable a reality. Don't underestimate Dan Gilbert's ego and his very open promise to the fan base of immediate success after LeBron left.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

This may just be wishful thinking on my part so don't kill the idea...

Would it be unreasonable to think that Flip sent Love to Boston telling him to check it out as he might be dealt there, but Flip's grand plan is to use this trip and media attention swirling around Boston as more leverage against Cleveland? Make it look like there's a deal coming into place with the Celts to force the Cavs into making their offer stronger as we get closer to the draft.

It's all a chess game at this point. Each move seems to be strategic, in my opinion.

In my scenario, yes, we'd be using Love as a pon, but it's certainly acceptable if it got CLE to up their ante.

I won't rule out Cleveland's No. 1 pick being available until the draft is over. They've struck out, or hit an infield single, plenty of times the last several years with high picks. Gilbert wants to win now. Going after Love makes a lot of sense to me.

Here's the problem with that theory, cam. If Love has indeed decided to leave and join a team that he thinks can challenge for a championship, he will want that team to give up as little as possible in return. That is, Flip's and Love's interests would be in conflict, and Love would have no interest in helping Flip out.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This may just be wishful thinking on my part so don't kill the idea...

Would it be unreasonable to think that Flip sent Love to Boston telling him to check it out as he might be dealt there, but Flip's grand plan is to use this trip and media attention swirling around Boston as more leverage against Cleveland? Make it look like there's a deal coming into place with the Celts to force the Cavs into making their offer stronger as we get closer to the draft.

It's all a chess game at this point. Each move seems to be strategic, in my opinion.

In my scenario, yes, we'd be using Love as a pon, but it's certainly acceptable if it got CLE to up their ante.

I won't rule out Cleveland's No. 1 pick being available until the draft is over. They've struck out, or hit an infield single, plenty of times the last several years with high picks. Gilbert wants to win now. Going after Love makes a lot of sense to me.

Here's the problem with that theory, cam. If Love has indeed decided to leave and join a team that he thinks can challenge for a championship, he will want that team to give up as little as possible in return. That is, Flip's and Love's interests would be in conflict, and Love would have no interest in helping Flip out.

I'm not saying Love is trying to help Flip. I'm saying Flip is using him in my hypothetical/wishful-thinking scenario. Flip sends Love to Boston giving him the belief he could be traded to Boston, but really Flip is trying to force Cleveland's hand.

I get that Love wouldn't want his next team to give up assets, much like NY did when they traded for Melo. I'm looking at this from a Flip perspective.