Multiple reports leading up to LeBron James‘ decision indicated that the Cavaliers planned to keep Kevin Love even if James left Cleveland. That’s still the franchise’s public stance, writes Jason Lloyd of The Athletic. However, multiple sources from around the league insist that the Cavs are indeed open to moving Love, according to Lloyd.
Love, who has been with the Cavaliers since 2014, has averaged 17.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his four seasons in Cleveland. While those are strong numbers, they pale in comparison to the ones he posted in his previous four seasons as the focal point of Minnesota’s roster (23.5 PPG, 13.7 RPG).
Love is still just 29 years old, so it would be interesting to see what he can do on a Cavs squad that no longer features James — especially since the team has conveyed a desire to compete for the playoffs even without LeBron.
However, if the Cavs want to go younger in the post-LeBron era, Love – who has one guaranteed year left on his contract with a player option for 2019/20 – would represent their best veteran trade chip.
As Lloyd observes, it’s also worth noting that the Cavaliers’ 2019 first-round pick will be sent to Atlanta unless it falls in the top 10. With Love on the roster, that pick could easily fall between 11 and 30 and head to the Hawks, whereas a rebuilding Cavs club without Love would have a better chance of hanging onto it.
That Cavs pick, which is top-10 protected in both 2019 and 2020, would turn into a pair of second-round selections if it doesn’t convey in either of the next two years.
Love for Wiggins would make perfect sense for both teams.
Lol can u imagine that
It would be interesting but I doubt the Caves would want his contract right now
Nobody does. Such a trade is the opposite of perfect sense.
Why? Sounds like the card game, “Pass the Poo” to me. Wiggins is an outstanding athlete, but a ball stopper and never attained the defender he was suppose to be coming out of the draft. KLove, never a defender although he plays defense well in a system. Can shoot from 3, but not good under pressure.
Love doesn’t need to be “the man” in Minnesota again. He can focus on rebounding and be a 3 point presence. Something they need badly.
But what does Cleveland get? They need assets now. They need to dump the large salaries of veterans to get draft picks or good young talent. We know what Wiggins can and can’t do. Wiggins does absolutely nothing for Cleveland at this point.
He could lose them some games. Which they do need.
draft picks could lose them some games.
You’re right actually I hope that happens.
While I’d love him on Phoenix or Houston. Hope he lands on another East team and can be the missing piece that helps a team make and perhaps win a round in the playoffs. Also helps the East stay some what competent despite the seed realignment bs some are clamoring for.
Trades are coming. LA has an aged LeBron, but nothing else atm so I figure they’ll be trading and there’ll be more teams. Cavs need to trade him by trade deadline as it’ll be really difficult to trade him after that as he can walk at the end of the 2019 season.
That said, I like KLove. Wish the Cavs could keep him. Wish G Hill would have a career year and all those younger players step up. But that’s not going to happen.
But, we got to suck it up buttercup b/c rebuilds can be fun. The first year, maybe two, always suck. Always and every team has gone through them. Some take longer. For example the Browns are going on year 54 of a rebuild. But I did enjoy watching the Sixers rebuild.
i would like to see the cavs do a 0-82 challenge with sexton cedi preston zizic on the starting line up
They need a 5th player in that scenario. But I don’t think they’d lose 82 games with that crew. If they keep all the players on the roster as it stands and of those under contract (i.e. Calderon just signed with Detroit and Jeff Green most likely won’t be back) the Cavs would be contending for an 8 or 7 spot in the playoffs. That won’t happen though as I’m sure they’ll do everything they can to dump Korver, Love, TT, JR, Hill on a contending team needing their assistance.
they need to trade him asap he is the only player cavs can trade no one will trade for jr tristan or hill + the 2019 looks good to me to keep the pick
Rockets should look into a trade for him
Rockets don’t have anything the Cavs would/should want.
i agree with you do they have young players
Yes they do. They want Ryan Anderson so they can tank baby! Anderson for Love!!!
Yes lol
They need rookies so the pick won’t convey next year. They need to tank. I see LA sending Deng, future picks and other young guys for him.
I could certainly see the Cavs move him to Phoenix for Bridges and Chriss. Maybe the Cavs add Hill to the deal. Makes sense for both teams since Phoenix lacks a point guard who can play defense alongside Booker, plus Love would compliment Ayton pretty nicely. For the Cavs they would get their small forward in Bridges and they could groom Chriss into their 4.
Suns- Hill-Booker-Jackson-Love-Ayton
Cavs- Sexton-JR-Bridges-Nance Jr-Tristan
Phoenix inquired about Love last season. They do need a big man to go with Ayton. Phoenix is loaded at small forward. Love makes $25 million next year. I can see T.J. Warren, Chriss, and a player or picks for Love. The Cavs will keep Hill. His contract for 2019 isn’t guaranteed.
Dan Gilbert loves Kevin Love. He was trying to trade for him even before LBJ notified them he wanted to come back. Love tho, had told the Cavs NOT to trade for him because he wasn’t going to extend with them. It wasn’t until LBJ came back and he reached out to Love and had a discussion that he gave his blessing of the trade.
I think a West Coast team that has already committed a substantial amount to it’s current team but wants to keep pace with the GSW and Houston might be the best options.
Portland, OKC and Utah come to mind.
Cavs should look for young current players with upside and 1st rnd picks
Portland definitely makes sense. Collins would be a good get along with a first and maybe Trent jr once he is eligible to be traded.
Love for MKG, Marvin Williams and a 1st rd pick
Ugly
That makes no sense for the Cavs. I mean, the pick is good but the players involved wouldn’t be attractive especially since they both have PO’s they can call in for 2019-20. Maybe add in Monk?
It’s written in the stars. You know how much Jordan loves players like Love. The Hornets will trade him for Kaminsky and MKG or Marvin.
Regardless if Cavs keep Love or not he is a free agent after the season and he goes to join Lebron in LA next offseason.
Only if the Lakers pick signing him over Kawhi.
Love for CJ McCollum straight up
Yep that’s what I want, or even ask the blazers to add a pick as well
Love for Julius Randall
Lakers would have to stretch Deng, and that all but eliminates Leonard.
Love for Hayward. Money and logic work, too.
Love will give back $ to get out of the dumpster fire in Cleveland. He is not worth 24m…..to anyone.
K-Love is a phenomenal player, I just hope he can get out of Cleveland, he already had years of loosing in Minny, he deserves better than that.
Love to Denver… for Lyles, Plumlee, Faried, 1st. Two promising bigs from Denver’s logjam at the 4. Denver wanted Love before, got Milsap instead for $6mil more than Love for 1 more year. Dumping Faried is a big goal and their roster cost is reduced by $6mil, the max exchange for Love’s $24.1mil. Love is back in the playoff mix at either the 4 or 5 in a Western locale.
Could go Lyles, Plumlee, Arthur and no pick.
Hill and Jr. + a pick for Kemba and Batum. Hill and Jr. only 4.5M guaranteed in 2019. Gets Hornets out of a bad contract and Cavs can play Sexton and Kemba like Wall and Beal or Dame and CJ. (Yes Sexton is an unknown).
Thompson, Love, Batum, Kemba, Sexton is at least a playoff team.
Kemba is a rental and Batum an albatross. He will play out or stretch like JR.
I would like to see Sexton spend a year at the 2 learning from Hill since he’s not a natural 1.
Love will be on the Hornets next year.