Kevin Love won't become an unrestricted free agent until next season, but the Minnesota Timberwolves power forward could have New York in mind as a possible destination due to the fact that Phil Jackson is now the president of the Knicks.
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"I think anytime you have Phil Jackson involved with any organization, you're going to definitely look at it," Love told ESPN. "And you know it's very intriguing. The Knicks are a place where I think anybody would like to go."
It has been reported that when Love hits the open market as he intends to at the end of next season, he has no desire of staying in Minnesota as he wants a change of scenery and to play for a contender. There will likely be plenty of interest in Love, and the Knicks could be among the teams vying for his services.
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Minnesota doesn't want to trade Love, but the T-Wolves also don't want to risk losing him after next season for nothing, so unless contract is finalized, a trade remains a possibility for Love, who averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds last season.
The problem for the Knicks if Minnesota should go the trade route, is New York lacks the pieces to acquire Love in a deal as the Timberwolves will likely seek a high draft pick and the Knicks don't have a first-round selection until 2018.
The Knicks also missed the playoffs this season, finishing with a 37-45 mark after being proclaimed a championship contender by owner James Dolan heading into the campaign. Love has said he wants to play for a contender, but the Knicks could turn it around under Jackson's leadership now that he's hired Derek Fisher to replace departed head coach Mike Woodson.
The Timberwolves also missed the playoffs for the 10th straight season -- sixth with Love on the team -- by finishing with a 40-42 record
"No matter what the outcome is, I just want to end up in a great place where I can win," Love said per ESPN. "At the end of the day, I've played six years, haven't made the playoffs yet, that burns me and hurts my heart, so I really want to be playing."
Still, Jackson makes the Knicks an attractive landing spot for Love should he make it to 2015 without being dealt.
"You mention LeBron James, he's the best player in the world another max contract guy, a guy that has won two and working on his third straight championship," Love said. "So, yeah, anytime Phil Jackson is involved in different talks in an organization, you have to give it a second look."
Come next summer, Love's future will be known.
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