Report: Rockets believe they're 'outgunned' in Kevin Love sweepstakes
Kevin Love playing alongside Dwight Howard and James Harden seems like a capable Western Conference antithesis to the Big Three - or Big Four - out East. Three stars, an unbelievable offense, and surely a great deal of attention.
Unfortunately for the Houston Rockets, it doesn't appear to be a realistic scenario given the assets they have to pull off a deal.
On the Kevin Love front, I'm told the Houston Rockets are pretty sure they're outgunned in terms of having the assets that Minnesota wants.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 11, 2014
Short of the Minnesota Timberwolves being willing to take on the final year of expensive contracts for Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik and being okay with middle-tier prospects like Terrnece Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and Patrick Beverley, the Rockets didn't have much to offer. They also don't own any additional first round picks, meaning the best they could kick in as sweetener are late firsts.
Beyond that, Love doesn't exactly fit. Yes, he and Howard would be an otherworldly frontcourt, but the Rockets' biggest need was help on the wing, specifically on the defensive end. Love would make them better, without question, but shifting their focus to a more synergistic need wouldn't be the worst thing for their offseason.