Kevin Love can become a free agent in 2015 and appears one of the more likely players to move teams even though he has downplayed the possibility of leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“You know, my parents live there and they had me there,” Love said of Los Angeles. “It’s not my fault. So, I don’t really care about that right now. I just go out there and play and don’t think about it.” 

A sources familiar with Love's thinking says he's enamored with the idea of being “big time in a big city,” and that list of potential places he’d seek includes Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

Both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers are projected to have max cap space in 2015, while the Chicago Bulls could have enough assets to acquire Love via trade.

Tom Thibodeau reiterated on Monday that Derrick Rose will miss the Chicago Bulls' entire season after suffering a torn meniscus in late November.

A report in the New York Daily News stated on Sunday that the Bulls were expecting Rose to return in time for the playoffs.

Rose has made steady progress in his rehabilitation. The Bulls have consistently maintained Rose will sit out the whole season.

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls management and Team USA officials are all on board with Rose's potential participation in the summer's mini-camp to form the World Cup roster in Spain in September.

"Oh absolutely, if he’s healthy and he’s cleared," Tom Thibodeau said, when asked if he'd like to see Rose play. "I thought it was a great experience for him before. I know he’d like to do it. I know how USA Basketball feels about him. So if he’s cleared to do it, I’d love to see him do it."

Thibodeau is an assistant coach for Team USA. Rose was part of the 2010 World Championship team.

"I think there has been great benefits from it, particularly for Derrick," Thibodeau said. "I thought that had a lot to do with him having the great year in the MVP year."

Carmelo Anthony has the Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets as the two options above all others he would consider if he decides to leave the New York Knicks.

The Bulls have an easier path to sign Anthony to a contract, but the Rockets believe they can also shed enough contracts to offer Anthony a third near-max deal alongside Dwight Howard and James Harden.

"He'll give New York every option," one source with knowledge of Anthony's plans told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday. "But he has options – and he's going to explore them all."

Jimmer Fredette is averaging just 4.3 minutes per game in his four appearances with the Chicago Bulls, but he thinks the opportunity with Tom Thibodeau's team will be a good proving ground with his career at a crossroads.

“I really like the way that they play,” Fredette said. “They play hard and they don’t have great outside shooting as a team, and that’s something I feel is a strength of mine and I can help them in that area. They play great team defense, and I feel I fit in very well with these guys and this organization.”

Fredette insists he's an improved player since coming into the NBA as a lottery pick in 2011.

“It happens to a lot guys in the NBA,” Fredette said. “Not everyone comes in and is a superstar right away or gets the right role right away. You’ve got to find the right fit, find the right team on that journey, and I hope that it happens here.”

Fredette will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

In this episode, host Daniel Leroux (@DannyLeroux) talks with Brian Schroeder (@Cosmis) of Hardwood Paroxysm and BullsbytheHorns.

The two discuss the surprising Bulls' season, Joakim Noah's place on the MVP ballot, the Eastern Conference playoff race, the potentially intertwined futures of Noah and Tom Thibodeau, and other NBA topics.

Click here to listen or download.

You can also click here to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Gregg Popovich is among the growing list of people who believe Joakim Noah belongs in the conversation to draw votes for the MVP award this season.

Acknowledging Noah does not have a chance to win the MVP given the seasons of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Popovich still praised Noah's candidacy.

“They won’t choose him as the MVP, but I think it’s great that he’s in the conversation and he should be,” Popovich said on Tuesday. “But it’s just not the way it works, from my experience. It’s got to go in the basket for you guys (media) to pay attention to somebody. But he’s pretty damn valuable in my opinion.”

Noah is averaging 12.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game and has led the Chicago Bulls to stay competitive despite the losses of Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

Carmelo Anthony denied a report that he discussed joining the Chicago Bulls with Joakim Noah during All-Star Weekend.

“No, not at all,” Anthony replied when asked if there was any truth to the report. “I can’t have that conversation.”

Anthony reportedly asked Noah what it is like to play for Tom Thibodeau.

Noah declined comment when asked on Friday.

“You want me to address that?” Noah said. “I don’t feel like addressing it. I really have nothing to say about it.”

The Chicago Bulls' offense has seemingly found it easier to score in the fourth quarter of games with the ball running through Joakim Noah at the top of the key instead of Derrick Rose in isolations.

Noah has become one of the NBA's best passing big men and he's also improved his play in the pick-and-roll.

“The thing about Jo is he can beat you a lot of different ways," said Tom Thibodeau. "Sometimes it’s the defense and rebounding. Sometimes it’s the passing. Sometimes it’s his scoring. His screening has gotten significantly better. His rolling has gotten significantly better. He’s significantly better at making quicker decisions. And that’s how we want him to play."

The Bulls still rank 27th in offensive efficiency at 101.7 points per 100 possessions, but they have had 106.0 points or more per 100 possessions in eight of their past 11 games.

During All-Star Weekend, Carmelo Anthony and Joakim Noah had a conversation about Tom Thibodeau that eventually led to a recruiting pitch for the Chicago Bulls, according to a report.

Anthony asked Noah what it is like to play for Thibodeau.

Thibodeau has been rumored as an eventual candidate for the New York Knicks, while Anthony is also reportedly considering signing with the Bulls in the offseason.

Noah went on to tell Anthony that he should consider signing with the Bulls "if he wants to win a ring and secure a winning legacy."

Anthony told Noah that he "admires how hard the Bulls play and how hungry they are."

Derrick Rose would like the Bulls to sign Anthony in the offseason and is willing to help the team in their recruitment efforts.

Sources say that it would be difficult for Anthony to leave New York while also taking less money.