Kevin Love Trade Rumors: Love Leaves Minnesota for Boston, Timberwolves Want Celtics to Sweeten Deal

Jun 19, 2014 11:30 PM EDT

Nothing is too crazy, when it comes to trade rumors this time of year, especially this year, and especially when it concerns Kevin Love. He is so coveted by so many teams that talk is going to come from everywhere and there will be a lot of possible scenarios.

Just 22 minutes ago, as I write, well respected, and often accurate ESPN analyst Chris Broussard tweeted that the Denver Nuggets have offered Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and their 11th pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love and Kevin Martin.

This is right in line with what Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald has been saying lately in tweets of his own, and according to Bulpett, this offer has the Timberwolves very interested.

In Bulpett's way of thinking, the Nuggets plan to acquire Arron Afflalo and add him to the mix of Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried for Love. Earlier Wednesday, Bulpett indicated the Nuggets were one of the teams to have offered more than Boston this early in bidding for Minnesota's star.

The Timberwolves have to respect the offer of these young players, that is for sure. Faried is definitely one of the leagues young up and coming players. Nicknamed 'The Manimal', he scored 13.7 points, pulled in 8.6 rebounds, and was a 57 percent shooter last season, and he could step right into the power forward's position in Minnesota. Wilson Chandler would be a contract filler who can definitely help out, and Afflalo is another rising star, who just put together his best season yet, and end up as Orlando's top point generator.

The thing that is odd about this story, is that it was first reported by Bulpett, a Boston reporter. That makes sense on a certain level, because the Celtics have been seen as an early favorite in the Kevin Love sweepstakes, and most people up there seemed tuned in to what is going on with the sought after trade.

  But it's more than likely a ruse, meant to get the Celtics to sweeten the deal a bit.

There is no doubt Minnesota wanted to keep Love, but if he must go, they want the most they can get for him.

For his part, Love has said he wants to join a contender, and when I think contender I don't think Denver. Denver would be very upset if they pulled the trigger on the trade and then Love refused to sign. Also, Faried is due for a contract extension himself soon. If he were to sign with the T'wolves and then opt out next summer, they would be in the same place they are this year.

I can see the Nugs offering this deal, I'm just not sure I believe the Timberwolves are as interested as they say.