I'm not sure that the Celtics are any better than the Timberwolves right now, though.
We do have the definite advantage of playing in the Eastern Conference, but I'm not sure giving up our lottery pick and Sullinger for a player like Kevin Love is in our best interests.
Full disclosure -- I'm not a fan of Kevin Love. I think he's a one-way player who puts up big numbers on bad teams.
I agree. I see Love as similar to Melo -- big time scorers that play little to no defense. Love isn't the shooter Melo is but he does rebound.
I wouldn't mind having him on the team, I just wouldn't mortgage the future to do it which is much different from a number of posters here that are enamored with him. I can't stress this enough to those willing to give up everything to get Love-->this guy is NOT KG. not close. When taking that into consideration, there's no justification for putting together a KG-level trade for this guy. None.
Think about what we gave up for KG:
Big Al -- top PF/C prospect that projected to a 20/10 player that was the basis of the deal
Ratliff - salary filler
Telfair - PG struggling to justify backup minutes
Green - SF that hadn't shown anything other than he can dunk
Gomes - so-so backup SF/PF.
Minny's own 1st rounder that we had and 1 of our own future firsts.
For comparison, look at the Laker deal for Gasol -- another PF that's better than Love.
Kwame Brown -- Mr #1 bust himself
Javaris Crittenton -- Mr gun-toting PG bust
Aaron McKie -- so-so player that was contract filler
Marc Gasol -- was not projected to be anywhere as good as he is. for those that disagree, consider the fact he was taken in the second round. if he was thought to develop as he has, he would have been snapped in the first round--lottery vicinity
first round picks in 2008 and 2010 -- which from the Lakers has low value at the end of the first round
Memphis also sent the Lakers a 2nd round pick.
Based on those deals for vastly superior players, there's no way anyone's going to convince me Love is worth more than maybe Sully or Green, salary filler, a late 1st pick and MAYBE AB. Minny may not like it but that's the limit on what I think Love is worth based on what other PFs have been traded for.