NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Reuters

The Chicago Bulls are serious in their chase of Minnesota forward Kevin Love and their superstar point guard Derrick Rose has chimed in reportedly preferring the big man over Carmelo Anthony.

The Bulls’ offer now include promising defensive big man Taj Gibson, serviceable player Tony Snell and two first-rounders—the 16th and 19th picks in the 2014 NBA Draft set on June 26 via Chad Ford of ESPN.COM.

The Bulls’ targets are actually Love or Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and according to the NY Daily News' Mitch Lawrence, Rose prefers the former over the latter.

“According to sources close to Kevin Love, Rose’s preference is for the Bulls to work out a deal as soon as possible for Minnesota’s All-Star forward because he sees Love as more of a team player than Anthony,” said the writer.

While Love has one year left in his contract with the Timberwolves, Anthony will hit free agency by July 1 after opting out of his contract with the Big Apple franchise.

Aside from current players in their roster, the Bulls also have another trade piece in Euro forward Nikola Mirotic, who is coming over to the NBA in the 2014-2015 season.

Between Love and Anthony, the Bulls have a better shot at Anthony if they can convince him to take less than his current salary of over $20M. The Bulls’ chance on Love will bank on the decision of the Minnesota brass if they want to trade him this season.

If the Bulls can acquire either star, Chicago is expected to be a contender next season with the 2013-2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year in Joakim Noah and the comebacking Rose, the 2010-2011 NBA Most Valuable Player.