Kiszla: Denver Nuggets should trade for Timberwolves' Kevin Love
Posted: 05/05/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT
Updated: 05/05/2013 02:20:12 PM MDT
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Minnesota's Kevin Love, left, drives against the Nuggets' Kenneth Faried earlier this season. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)
Despite nearly 50 years of frustration, a pro basketball season can end with a victory parade in Denver.
It is possible for the Nuggets to bring the NBA championship to town.
This team is closer than you think. All the Nuggets need is a legitimate star. And they have the resources to get one.
Show me the Love. Bring all-star forward Kevin Love to Denver.
After dealing with injury, the harsh Minnesota winters and the ineptitude of Timberwolves management, Love's relationship is on the rocks with his current team.
Here's the starting lineup I want to see in Denver.
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Andre Iguodala
SF: Kenneth Faried
PF: Love
C: JaVale McGee
Love, a gold medalist with the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, would immediately improve the reliability of Denver's half-court offense. Giving McGee a starter's role would make the Nuggets more athletic. Sign J.J. Redick or Kyle Korver as a reasonably priced free agent, and Denver would have its designated shooter on the bench.
Here's the trade I propose.
Send Nuggets starters Danilo Gallinari and Kosta Koufos to Minnesota for Love.
Might the Wolves squawk about Gallinari's injured knee? Of course. But Love is coming off a broken hand and knee surgery of his own. Might Minnesota prefer Wilson Chandler or Evan Fournier over Koufos? Massage the deal. Might new Wolves president Flip Saunders go to work on his relationship with Love and turn down any trade offer? Sure.
But here's the point.
The idea no superstar will ever play in Denver is bunk. Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri has carefully stockpiled sufficient assets to make a blockbuster deal possible.
If the deal is not for Love, Ujiri can find another way to make Denver a legit contender.
"I'll figure it out," Ujiri told me less than an hour after the Nuggets were bounced from the playoffs by Golden State.
So stop your moping, coach George Karl. Drop the defeatist attitude, Denver.
The Nuggets can win it all.
Read more: Kiszla: Denver Nuggets should trade for Timberwolves' Kevin Love - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_...#ixzz2STL4FAcW
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He pretty much read my mind, but we'd have to give up at least 1 first and probably more for Love.
It would be better if we could keep Gallo and send Chandler away.
That hypothetical starting lineup looks awesome.
Posted: 05/05/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT
Updated: 05/05/2013 02:20:12 PM MDT
By Mark Kiszla
The Denver Post
Minnesota's Kevin Love, left, drives against the Nuggets' Kenneth Faried earlier this season. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)
Despite nearly 50 years of frustration, a pro basketball season can end with a victory parade in Denver.
It is possible for the Nuggets to bring the NBA championship to town.
This team is closer than you think. All the Nuggets need is a legitimate star. And they have the resources to get one.
Show me the Love. Bring all-star forward Kevin Love to Denver.
After dealing with injury, the harsh Minnesota winters and the ineptitude of Timberwolves management, Love's relationship is on the rocks with his current team.
Here's the starting lineup I want to see in Denver.
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Andre Iguodala
SF: Kenneth Faried
PF: Love
C: JaVale McGee
Love, a gold medalist with the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, would immediately improve the reliability of Denver's half-court offense. Giving McGee a starter's role would make the Nuggets more athletic. Sign J.J. Redick or Kyle Korver as a reasonably priced free agent, and Denver would have its designated shooter on the bench.
Here's the trade I propose.
Send Nuggets starters Danilo Gallinari and Kosta Koufos to Minnesota for Love.
Might the Wolves squawk about Gallinari's injured knee? Of course. But Love is coming off a broken hand and knee surgery of his own. Might Minnesota prefer Wilson Chandler or Evan Fournier over Koufos? Massage the deal. Might new Wolves president Flip Saunders go to work on his relationship with Love and turn down any trade offer? Sure.
But here's the point.
The idea no superstar will ever play in Denver is bunk. Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri has carefully stockpiled sufficient assets to make a blockbuster deal possible.
If the deal is not for Love, Ujiri can find another way to make Denver a legit contender.
"I'll figure it out," Ujiri told me less than an hour after the Nuggets were bounced from the playoffs by Golden State.
So stop your moping, coach George Karl. Drop the defeatist attitude, Denver.
The Nuggets can win it all.
Read more: Kiszla: Denver Nuggets should trade for Timberwolves' Kevin Love - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_...#ixzz2STL4FAcW
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse
Follow us: @Denverpost on Twitter | Denverpost on Facebook
He pretty much read my mind, but we'd have to give up at least 1 first and probably more for Love.
It would be better if we could keep Gallo and send Chandler away.
That hypothetical starting lineup looks awesome.
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