Golden State Warriors aggressively pursuing Kevin Love

The Warriors think they have a legitimate chance of landing All-Star power forward Kevin Love, San Francisco Chronicle reports. After Tuesday's news conference to introduce Steve Kerr as Golden State's head coach, some team sources confidently outlined their reasoning for being considered a top contender in the Love sweepstakes.

The Bay Area is believed to be one of desired locations for Love, who reportedly has told Minnesota that he'll exercise his early-termination option and become a free agent in 2015 - a move that has forced the Timberwolves' decision-makers to start listening to trade proposals.

"You know we'll be aggressive," one Warriors source said, asking for anonymity because NBA brass isn't allowed to comment on players under contract with other teams. "We usually get our guy." A move for Love could involve some of the team's biggest names.

The Warriors don't want to include Klay Thompson in the deal, don't have a 2014 pick and can't offer their 2015 top choice until after June 26.

They could package David Lee, Harrison Barnes and the 2015 first-rounder for Love, who finished behind only LeBron James and Kevin Durant in player-efficiency rating this season and represents that floor-stretching power forward Kerr covets.

Minnesota doesn't have to trade Love, but the franchise is saying that it will listen to offers - hoping to nab a high pick in this season's loaded draft and a couple of young, proven players. The Wolves could do something during the June 26 draft, they could delay a decision to the February trade deadline, or they could reject all offers and risk losing Love without compensation.