After winning a championship, the Cavaliers may not be as inclined to retool their roster as they otherwise might have been, but the team is still expected to listen to any trade inquiries it receives on Kevin Love, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Appearing on Zach Lowe’s podcast (hat tip to RealGM.com), Windhorst identified the Celtics as the ideal trade partner for Love, suggesting that the Cavaliers “really like” Avery Bradley and could also ask for Marcus Smart and a draft pick (not the No. 3) if Boston shows interest in making a deal.
While we wait to see if those hypothetical trade talks come to fruition, let’s round up a few more items from out of the Central division…
- While plenty of reports have suggested Thursday could be a busy trade night around the NBA, Bucks general manager John Hammond isn’t expecting much movement at the top of the board, telling reporters that “people feel good about this draft” (Twitter link).
- Hammond spoke a little more about the Bucks‘ draft and trade options, telling reporters that Milwaukee is targeting three or four players with the No. 10 pick, and hasn’t ruled out a big man at that spot (Twitter links via Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Hammond was also asked about rumors that the Celtics may be targeting Khris Middleton, and while he declined to comment on that report, he noted that many Bucks players have “great value around the league” (Twitter links via Gardner).
- Wes Washpun (Northern Iowa), Fred VanVleet (Wichita State), Retin Obasohan (Alabama), Marcus Georges-Hunt (Georgia Tech), Cinmeon Bowers (Auburn), and Gracin Bakumanya (Democratic Republic of Congo) participated in a workout for the Bucks today, the team announced in a press release.
- The Pistons are hosting Florida State’s Malik Beasley for a workout today, according to David Mayo of MLive.com (Twitter link). Beasley is ranked 17th on Chad Ford’s ESPN big board and 23rd at DraftExpress.com, so he’s a candidate to be on the board when Detroit picks 18th overall.
- Rod Beard of The Detroit News doesn’t mention Beasley in his list of five potential targets for the Pistons at No. 18, instead naming Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame), Denzel Valentine (Michigan State), and Ivica Zubac (Croatia), among others.
Wonder if MIN wants Love back for Wiggins? LOL. Obviously CLE won a championship so they will say it’s worth it but wow, they gave up so much for Love! Bennett is a loser and out of the league but Wiggins is looking like a total superstar, something Love never was and never will be.
How does Wiggins LOOK like a superstar? He has ZERO outside shot and gives you very little in terms of rebounds or assists (not that I’m expecting PG type of assists from him). Also, he’s not yet as good of a defender as his reputation intimated. I hear Tibbs might want to move him because of his defensive short-coming. He can still develop into a star but he isn’t there yet.
Furthermore, He’s a SF with no outside shot. If you have LBJ then where does he play? Off the bench? That’s a waste.
Love is a better fit for this team. Disregard what happened in the Warriors series. He still avg’d 16 pts, 10 rebounds and gave you 37% from behind the line.
I don’t know how you quantify defense but according to a stat called “defensive real plus minus” Wiggins ranks 73rd among SFs. He also ranks in the 30s in 3pt% and rebounding, 19th in assists and only 6 SFs have more TOs per game. Although he deserves credit because he ranks in the top 10 in PPG and FG%. I agree he’s been very overhyped and the stats back that but he is a super athlete with interior scoring ability. Certainly not an all around star at the moment but there is talent to build on and it’s hard to doubt he has a bright future in the league.
I would only do it for a super super star,aka Kevin Durant. Kevin Love for Kevin Durant. #theland#champs
Still drunk from the celebration I see.
Please bucks don’t trade Middleton to the Celtics. I get that they have great picks, but he is a sharp shooter who plays great defense and can pass. He should be part of our big 3. Not a role player around our big 2
If Ainge trades any of that for Love he should be tarred and feathered. Love is overrated, soft, and injury prone. I just don’t get the adoration Ainge has for him.
How is Love soft? A guy who leads the NBA in rebounds over the last 5 years before coming to the Cavs is soft? Also, the injury prone tag doesn’t really seem fair. He averaged about 76 games the two years with the Cavs. Can’t blame him for having his shoulder ripped out of his socket or a concussion.
I personally don’t see a match with the Cavs and Celtics. Obviously, Irving would be the PG so I assume Bradley would have to be the SG or come off the bench. He’s a bit too small for the SG position and honestly, I’d rather bring back Smith who is a much better 3pt threat and already fits in with this team. Crowder is a SF, the same position as LBJ? How does it make sense to trade Love who fils a position of need and spreads the floor for 2 guys that wouldn’t even be starters on this team? Poor use of an asset if you ask me.