Code, the Bulls are not even needed for leverage.
But it certainly helps the Wolves if they have another supposed buyer for Love, no?
Cleveland seems to have responded.
Chicago is,IMO, not seriously in the mix(because if the Wolves want someone like Wiggins or Thompson,why would they look at the Bulls when the best they can really offer is either Butler or Gibson?), but having the Bulls out there as a possible suitor may worry Cleveland a little. They don't want any more competitors, and more competitors can drive up the price and gives the Wolves the ability to say they can look at other teams if the Cavs can't make a suitable offer.
What I don't understand is why go after Love now? You already have Gasol. Why didn't they just try to get Love in the first place after Melo decided to return to the Knicks?
I suppose you could argue that after Melo's decision, Gasol was expressing some interest in the Bulls, and they didn't want to spurn him for Love, because they possibly end up with neither. Ok.
But getting Gasol, to me, sends a pretty clear message that things aren't going to work out with the Bulls and Love. It seems like they pulled the trigger on the guaranteed commodity and honestly it was a good move.
Bottom line is the Bulls don't really have enough to compete with Golden State and Cleveland IRT Love(they don't have a Wiggins or Thompson), and they already have Gasol. This is a longshot, but having the Bulls out there is important. There's a game being played here.