FanPost

Trade Love and Rubio?



So this is part 5A and 5B of grade the trade, and sadly I couldn't find a sister Thunder or Sonic blog that allows for fan polls, which is really too bad because I think this trade is rather interesting, and it was my first foray in measuring the value of Love (as it pertains to other NBA team fans). Turns out you can't put a price on Love in Oklahoma (or Seattle).

So here's trade 5A

Thunder get:

PF Kevin Love

PG Ricky Rubio

Wolves get:

PG Russel Westbrook

SG James Harden

I figured I needed a trade 5B since the Thunder could have just drafted the Wolves if they really wanted them. They took Westbrook #4 right before Love at #5, and of course took Harden #3 instead of Rubio at #5. I'm wondering if circumstance may have changed their preference, or if they'll be stubborn about 'trading down' in two previous drafts. If that's the case, here is trade 5B

Thunder get:

PF Kevin Love

PG Ricky Rubio

Wovles get:

PG Russel Westbrook

SF Jeff Green

(Crap - I can only have one poll, I'll post the poll for this trade in another fan post.)

I have two polls for each trade below.

To recap the results of the previous trade to Cleveland - Al Jefferson for Verajao, Hickson and two 1st rounders - The Wolves' fans hated this trade at a 67-17 split. Cav fans either loved the trade or hated it - with A's and F's leading the vote, but came out slightly in favor at 46-43.

Some thoughts on what I'm doing - some commenters hate all my trade Al Jefferson suggestions and are wondering why I'm so persistent. 1 - I'm not targeting Al Jeff, but my method was to go team by team and figure out a trade that might work and post it here and at the other team's site and see if it could float. Most other teams won't deal with the wolves unless they are trading Al Jeff, who clearly has the highest trade value. 2 - I'm targetting Al Jeff. I personally believe that he is overvalued by the league and actually serves as an impediment to the Wolves development. Since he is the best asset the Wolves have to offer, I believe he should be used to bring back players that fit better (in my vision). I'm also quite bullish on Love and believe he can replace most of Al's offense while being a much better fit going forward.

So while I will do some non-AlJeff trades, I'm biased towards moving him for assets if it makes sense. I'm also thinking it might make sense to hold him for one more year, let him show the league he's healthy, and trade him next off season. It's a nice luxory that he is signed long term to a reasonable contract and there is no rush to push him out the door, I just believe that is his ultimate destination.