The Chicago Bulls reportedly are offering the Minnesota Timberwolves a trade package that includes Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson in exchange for Kevin Love. Minnesota is "extremely" intrigued by the offer, according to Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.
Chicago re-entered the Love sweepstakes after failing to sign Carmelo Anthony in free agency. The Bulls reportedly were making a late push to supplant the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers as the frontrunners to acquire Love, and on Wednesday Sheridan reported the package Chicago was willing to offer.
Per Sheridan:
"The Chicago Bulls have offered a package of Taj Gibson and rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic to the Minnesota Timberwolves for All-Star forward Kevin Love, a league source told SheridanHoops.com on Wednesday."
One advantage Cleveland has over Chicago, however, is the centerpiece of their purported trade -- rookie Andrew Wiggins -- hasn't yet signed his contract.
NBA rules prohibit rookies from being traded until 30 days after they signed their contracts. That means Chicago, who signed McDermott and Mirotic on Tuesday, wouldn't be able to complete the deal for Love until next month.
Cleveland, who's reportedly confident they can get Love, supposedly is offering a trade package that includes the 2013 and 2014 first overall draft picks: Anthony Bennett and Wiggins. The Cavaliers' cause is helped by Love's purported willingness to sign a long-term contract in Cleveland, thanks in part to the team's recent signing of superstar LeBron James.
Golden State, who along with Chicago was reported in May as one of Love's preferred destinations, also is considered to be in contention for the power forward. The holdup in the trade, however, appears to be the Warriors' unwillingness to part with 2-guard Klay Thompson.
The Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics also are believed to be pursuing Love.
