Kevin Love can be a free agent after next season. (USATSI)
More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft
The Sacramento Kings want to enter the Kevin Love sweepstakes, and they've told the Minnesota Timberwolves that they would trade for the superstar power forward without a guarantee that he'd re-sign in Sacramento, according to Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears.
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. Swingman Rudy Gay has a player's option for next season.
The Kings know they'd have to gamble on convincing Love to re-sign, given that the franchise is rebuilding and Love is looking to play for a contender after never reaching the playoffs with the Timberwolves. Love's suitors also figure to include a number of bigger markets, including the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls.
The Kings have likely have no real choice but to attempt to do a deal on these terms. Given how the franchise has fared for the better part of the last decade, why would Love guarantee Sacramento anything? Any team outside of one of his preferred destinations would have the same idea, to bring him in and prove to him that he can win there.
The problem here is that another team will almost assuredly offer Minnesota a better package than Sacramento can craft, unless DeMarcus Cousins is included. A deal centered around No. 8 pick and Ben McLemore probably isn't going to do it for the Wolves.
Basketball Hot News
Report: Wizards near three-year contract extension with coach Randy Wittman
Wizards coach Randy Wittman came into this season on the hot seat — owner Ted Leonsis wanted to make the playoffs now and wanted to see development from John Wall and Bradley Beal.
He got it.
The Wizards played Top 10 defense, won 44 games and got the five seed in the East — then knocked off the Bulls in the first round. They made the Pacers work for it in the second round. Yes, the East was down, but the fact is the Wizards were improved and showed it in the playoffs.
As expected, that is earning Wittman a contract extension, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo sports.
The Washington Wizards are near an agreement on a three-year contract extension with coach Randy Wittman, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 27, 2014
Wittman has his critics — his team takes too many midrange jumpers, for one — but he has earned this extension.
How good the Wizards are next season may be less about Wittman — or even Wall and Beal — and more about offseason moves. Both Trevor Ariza and Marcin Gortat (both of whom played key roles in the playoffs) are free agents. Do the Wizards bring them back, or does GM Ernie Grunfeld spend his available $16 million in salary cap space the team has on other free agents? How much does Leonsis let him spend?
Whatever the roster, Wittman will be the coach. He’s earned that.
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