Apr 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (left) reacts next to teammate center Ronny Turiaf (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. The Minnesota Timberwolves won in 2 overtimes 122-121. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Boy this picture says a thousand words don’t it.
Ah, the Kevin Love trade! Just when it seems that everything is in place and ready to go, something always happens. There are definite reasons why I love this job Pippen Peoples. Nothing in the NBA goes on in the business realm without some drama. Let’s get the stuff we know out-of-the-way shall we?
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, there will be a three team deal that will be eligible to be completed at 12:01 a.m. EST Saturday between the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Philadelphia 76ers. This is otherwise known as the Kevin Love trade. Let’s break down who goes where.
Cleveland Cavaliers gets…
The cornerstone Kevin Love.
We all know that Kevin Love is happy. Basically since former Timberwolves General Manager, David Kahn choked on a chicken bone at the thought of giving a max deal to Kevin Love a few years back, Love basically has planned his exit. For the first time in Love’s career, he may receive a playoff check. Speaking of checks, he might be signing a whole lot of big ones in the future. Reports leaked out that there was a five-year $120 million dollar deal in the works as soon as the trade is official. It was those reports that almost got the deal vetoed by the league.
We know the Cleveland fans are happy. To watch this team struggle (to be nice) for four years, it shows that dreams can come true.
LeBron James is happy. The Fresh Prince of Cleveland has a replacement for Dwyane Wade. Now he can blame Kevin Love instead of D-Wade when the title dreams goes to pot.
The Philadelphia 76ers gets…
I don’t have a clue. You can’t analyze insanity without being insane yourself. I’m crazy but not insane…yet. To any Philly fans that have an idea what the front office is doing in Philadelphia, please leave your ideas in the comment section. Believe me I’ll learn something new. UGH!
Officially, the 76ers get Mbah A Moute, Alexey Shved and a future first round pick. Smart money says it will be Miami’s 2015 first rounder. Considering that the Heat is a good team, that will be a low first round pick.
Also read…yet ANOTHER cost cutting move.
I feel bad for Philadelphia fans. They have to look at a bad team for a few years. The front office will say there’s light at the end of the tunnel Philly fans. Sometimes that light comes from oncoming trains. To the Sixers credit, they tried to get Anthony Bennett. That was never going to happen. Minnesota was not going to give him up.
Man I’ll tell you, Doctor J, Moses Malone, Allen Iverson, Darryl Dawkins and the Philly Fanatic are all rolling over in their graves over these moves the Sixers are making right now.
The Minnesota Timberwolves gets…
A whole lot more than they got in the Kevin Garnett trade. After getting a box of Newports and Puma sweats from Boston for Garnett, the Wolves learned from the experience and saved face under the not so ideal circumstances. The Wolves ended up getting Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a bonus. Thaddeus Young gets on a lifeboat of the Titanic thanking God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and comes to Minnesota to take Kevin Love’s spot on the roster. Young is still on the books for $19.4 million dollars over the next two years.
Sources have told ESPN.com on Friday that the trade transaction will be finalized on Saturday barring any late snags or any failures of player physicals. Stay tuned.
Speaking of possible snags.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Phoenix Suns offered up Eric Bledsoe in a sign and trade deal for Kevin Love at the last-minute.
Eric Bledsoe, who is a restricted free agent who wants a max deal consisting of five years at $85 million dollars, is at an impasse with the Phoenix Suns. The Suns tried this option almost out of desperation because the situation is getting uglier by the day. Furthermore Bledsoe will only consider a max deal in a sign and trade situation as well. That would amount to $64 million dollars over four years with any other team.
Does anyone need me to tell you what Cleveland said to that deal?
Well the NBA’s version of the New World Order has moved their operations to Cleveland by this time Saturday night. How will this affect the Chicago Bulls title hopes next season? Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for ongoing coverage going into the preseason.
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Apr 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love (42) between plays against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-120. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports