Quiet Before the Storm
Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2014 11:03 am
It's almost 10:30 Central on Thursday, July 24 and not a single bit of news, rumor or innuendo from any media outlet, reporter or reputed sources about the Kevin Love situation. What does that tell us? It tells us that something is actually about to happen.
That's the way it almost always happens. Lots of noise with one hot rumor supplemented or contradicted by another in a never-ending stream of information and opinion that puts all who care on an emotional rollercoaster. The pace of the noise and chatter accelerates. Then, abrubtly, the accelerating stream of noise suddently gives way to silence. A calm sets in briefly, followed shortly by the announcement of a major deal. That's the way it feels now with the Kevin Love trade speculation.
The chatter surrounding Love has been dominating NBA sports coverage ever since the dust settled on LeBron's announcement of his return to Cleveland. Since then, we've seen and heard multiple reports about whether Love should be traded, his trade value, who has the best chance of getting him and what sort of package the Wolves should reasonably expect in return. More recently, we've seen dozens of reports of possible deals in the works, particularly with the Cavs. Those reports and the surrounding speculation reached a crescendo this week with confirmation that the Cavs would include Wiggins in a deal for Love and then reports that the Bulls were making a big push for Love.
Suddently, this morning, all is quiet. Not a single media report. No significant tweets from any reporters.
So what does this mean? It means Flip and his coherts no longer simply exchanging ideas and proposals with various other teams. It means they are actually negotiating details of a deal. Flip and his crew are in a conference room with a speaker phone talking to their counterparts in Chicago or Cleveland. A third team's front office executives may be on that same conference call as well as part of a wider 3 ro 4 team deal. But make no mistake about it, a deal is in the works.
What do I think the deal will be? I think it will probably be a deal with Cleveland. And I think the Sixers will be involved. Here's what I see as something close to the final transaction:
1. The Wolves end up with Wiggins, Bennett and Thaddeus Young along with Miami's 2015 top 10 protected 1st round pick and the Grizzlies' protected 2015 1st round pick, which will likely come to the Wolves in 2017 when it will only be top 5 protected. The Wolves will also get the Cavs' three recently signed players with nonguaranteed contracts to comply wiht the salary match requirement without the need for Wiggins to sign with the Cavs.
2. I see Cleveland ending up with Love from the Wolves and both Tony Wroten and J. Vernado from the Sixers.
3. I see the Sixers ending up with Waiters, Brewer and Luc Mbah a Moute along with the Cavs own 2016 1st round pick and a future Wolves 2nd round pick.
This deal would not require Wiggins to sign with Cleveland and, hence, would not require the parties to wait 30 days.
When will the deal be announced? Tomorrow.
That's the way it almost always happens. Lots of noise with one hot rumor supplemented or contradicted by another in a never-ending stream of information and opinion that puts all who care on an emotional rollercoaster. The pace of the noise and chatter accelerates. Then, abrubtly, the accelerating stream of noise suddently gives way to silence. A calm sets in briefly, followed shortly by the announcement of a major deal. That's the way it feels now with the Kevin Love trade speculation.
The chatter surrounding Love has been dominating NBA sports coverage ever since the dust settled on LeBron's announcement of his return to Cleveland. Since then, we've seen and heard multiple reports about whether Love should be traded, his trade value, who has the best chance of getting him and what sort of package the Wolves should reasonably expect in return. More recently, we've seen dozens of reports of possible deals in the works, particularly with the Cavs. Those reports and the surrounding speculation reached a crescendo this week with confirmation that the Cavs would include Wiggins in a deal for Love and then reports that the Bulls were making a big push for Love.
Suddently, this morning, all is quiet. Not a single media report. No significant tweets from any reporters.
So what does this mean? It means Flip and his coherts no longer simply exchanging ideas and proposals with various other teams. It means they are actually negotiating details of a deal. Flip and his crew are in a conference room with a speaker phone talking to their counterparts in Chicago or Cleveland. A third team's front office executives may be on that same conference call as well as part of a wider 3 ro 4 team deal. But make no mistake about it, a deal is in the works.
What do I think the deal will be? I think it will probably be a deal with Cleveland. And I think the Sixers will be involved. Here's what I see as something close to the final transaction:
1. The Wolves end up with Wiggins, Bennett and Thaddeus Young along with Miami's 2015 top 10 protected 1st round pick and the Grizzlies' protected 2015 1st round pick, which will likely come to the Wolves in 2017 when it will only be top 5 protected. The Wolves will also get the Cavs' three recently signed players with nonguaranteed contracts to comply wiht the salary match requirement without the need for Wiggins to sign with the Cavs.
2. I see Cleveland ending up with Love from the Wolves and both Tony Wroten and J. Vernado from the Sixers.
3. I see the Sixers ending up with Waiters, Brewer and Luc Mbah a Moute along with the Cavs own 2016 1st round pick and a future Wolves 2nd round pick.
This deal would not require Wiggins to sign with Cleveland and, hence, would not require the parties to wait 30 days.
When will the deal be announced? Tomorrow.