The Sacramento Kings reportedly are willing to trade for Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love, even if he stays for only one year. Sacramento joins a long list of suitors, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors.
While most teams are unwilling to trade for Love without knowing if he'll re-sign with them next summer, the Kings reportedly are open to essentially "renting" Love for the season.
"The Sacramento Kings have let the Minnesota Timberwolves know they are interested in trading for All-Star forward Kevin Lover -- and the Kings would make a deal without any assurance from Love he'd re-sign with them, a league source told Yahoo Sports," Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports wrote on Monday. "The Kings are willing to give up their eighth overall pick in this year's NBA draft and a combination of players for Love, even though he would not be expected to sign a contract extension before next season -- if ever, with the rebuilding, small-market franchise, the source said.
"Sacramento envisions Love and DeMarcus Cousins playing alongside each other in the front court."
The Kings join a long list of potential suitors, although they're the only team reportedly willing to trade for Love regardless of whether he would re-sign. The Golden State Warriors and the Chicago Bulls, both of who are reportedly interested in Love, were reported by ESPN as being Love's two preferred destinations.
The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics were also reported to be in pursuit of Love.
Love's representatives told Minnesota in May that he planned to opt out of his contract next summer and become a free agent, prompting the Timberwolves to at least consider dealing him before next season's trade deadline in February.
