Minnesota Sports Forum

The Golden State Warriors have hit an impasse in their trade pursuit of All-Star forward Kevin Love due to what is being described as an "organizational split" on the willingness to part with prized shooting guard Klay Thompson, according to sources close to the process.

After it appeared that the Warriors were prepared to part with Thompson in a deal to land Minnesota's Love, sources told ESPN.com that Hall of Fame consultant Jerry West and new Warriors coach Steve Kerr have voiced opposition to surrendering both Thompson and a future first-round pick to the Timberwolves along with former All-Star forward David Lee for Love and Wolves guard Kevin Martin.





Others in the Warriors' organization are said to be willing to surrender Thompson if it means landing Love, who is widely regarded as the marquee name on this offseason's trade market. But sources say the talks, which were gathering momentum in advance of the upcoming NBA draft, have stalled.

In a visit Friday with local reporters, Warriors general manager Bob Myers downplayed his team's chances of winning the Love sweepstakes, describing the prospect of a significant trade before July 1 "unlikely." But Myers added that he would have been similarly pessimistic last July had he been asked about Golden State's eventual acquisition of Andre Iguodala.

"Right now, I think it's unlikely," Myers said. "Right now. Today."

The Los Angeles Times reported in Saturday's editions that the Los Angeles Lakers have tried to join the discussions by offering to include the No. 7 pick in Thursday's draft to the Wolves in a bid to route Thompson to L.A. in a three-way deal. Thompson, 24, is not only half of what former Warriors coach Mark Jackson routinely referred to as the best-shooting backcourt in NBA history, alongside star Stephen Curry, but also is regarded as a top-notch perimeter defender.

Thompson -- son of former Lakers big man and current Lakers broadcaster Mychal Thompson -- is eligible for a lucrative contract extension this summer.

ESPN.com reported Thursday that Minnesota also is interested in Golden State's Harrison Barnes as a potential addition to the transaction, which could give the Warriors further pause.

In my eyes this tells me,GS offerd Klay/Lee and 1st for Love and Maritn and MN said no thanks..I beat Minnesota tryed to take martin off the table or asked GS to add Barnes,And now GS is backing off.

Flip is handling this masterfully to be honest, he's doing everything possible to maximize the return on Love by his words and actions the past few weeks. I honestly thought this would be a lot messier and our franchise looking stupid.

The Warriors seem to have the Vikings old triangle of authority problem, too many decision makers in the room. I'd be fine with the Wolves just walking away from them at this point if they want to keep playing their games.

Kerr had to have known this was a likely scenario before he took the job. If not, then he is oblivious and didn't do his homework for the job, which is a red-flag in itself. Lacob and Myers have repeatedly said they will do what it takes to make the Warriors a title contender so I can't see them passing up the opportunity to get arguably the best PF in the game.

I think this is all BS on GS' part. They think if they leak that the FO is unsure about making the trade that Minny starts to think it is a great deal, and it also limits what other teams are willing to offer.