Golden State Warriors are confident of signing Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love to pair point guard Stephen Curry, and have lowered the asking price of David Lee, with Orlando Magic being the potential trade partner, according to the reports.
Love finished third in the player efficiency rating, behind Miami Heat's LeBron James and Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant and enjoyed one of his best playing seasons, averaging 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
Apart from the Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks are also named as the potential destinations of the All-Star. The Phoenix Suns have also showed a strong interest in signing the lanky power forward but it is uncertain whether Love is interested in joining the Suns or not.
The Bay Area is expected to be the most desired location for Love as the Warriors are certain to sign him for the upcoming season. "You know we'll be aggressive," one Warriors source was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. "We usually get our guy."
The Wolves have already stated that they are not going to trade Love before the draft but the 25-year-old has reportedly hinted Minnesota that he will use his early termination clause, if required. However, the Timberwolves' owner Glen Taylor is hopeful that Love will remain with the team atleast till his contract expires.
"I should never say never because who knows what might come up? But that's not our plan," Taylor said. "I'm not in a position where you would say absolutely I wouldn't do it, because what if something that I can't even speculate (on) happens? You'd say, 'you're nuts, Glen.' Maybe some team puts a value on him that's different than we suspect."
Taylor stated that the club has not talked to Love, his agent or any other team about a possible trade and that the power forward has demanded a trade formally.
Newly-signed Golden State coach Steve Kerr has expressed a desire to sign a stretch four-position player in his team's roster and the performances of Love in the regular season makes him an ideal choice for filling the position.
According to reports, the Warriors are also set to pack David Lee and Harrison Barnes for Love. Lee performed consistently for Golden State in the regular season, averaging 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, but he is not a stretch-four player, which Kerr wants in his team.
Lee is also in frame to join Orlando Magic as the arrival of new coach has sealed the fate of the 31-year-old in Golden State. The Warriors have reportedly also lowered the asking price of their power forward and he is now certain to leave Golden State.
