Trade talks involving Cavaliers forward Kevin Love will heat up in the coming weeks, Marc Stein of the New York Times predicts in his latest newsletter. Love, who signed a four-year, $120MM extension over the summer, becomes trade eligible on January 24th. Love is still sidelined after undergoing toe surgery but could return to action sometime this month. Love is still regarded by some NBA executives as a difference-maker who could be available despite the Cavaliers’ insistence they don’t want to deal him, according to Stein. The Nuggets might be a team to watch, since they have coveted Love for years and may be in a win-now mode, Stein adds.
We have more from around the Central Division:
- Bulls first-round pick Chandler Hutchison has embraced the role of defensive stopper, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times writes. Hutchison is averaging a modest 4.2 PPG and 3.5 RPG in 17.2 MPG but he has heeded coach Jim Boylen’s urging to become a defensive presence. “For me right away that was the first thing I noticed was I can help the team,’’ Hutchison told Cowley. “Then one thing leads to the next if you can help the team. Coaches are going to find a way to get you on the floor, which is a reward for me, but also if I can help the team in areas that we need help, it’s going to help us win.’’
- Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer plans to keep power forward Ersan Ilyasova in the rotation when he returns from a fractured nose that required surgery, Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Ilyasova, who suffered the injury during a December 16th practice, could return to action this weekend. Second-year man D.J. Wilson has played well in his absence. “Ersan’s somebody that we think we’ll find minutes for and then (with) those young guys, keep trying to figure out how we can keep them involved and growing and developing, but I guess for me it’s a couple days away,” Budenholzer said.
- The Bulls have tried to package forward Jabari Parker with the expiring contracts of either swingman Justin Holiday or center Robin Lopez in preliminary trade talks, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports. Parker, who has been benched by Boylen, has a $20MM team option on his contract for next season. Holiday is making approximately $4.4MM, while Lopez is pulling in $14.35MM this season.
These are Stein’s ” predictions for now.” He isn’t saying they will happen. Remember they said Paul George to Cavs or Celtics. The Pacers told Magic where to put it. He went to OKC. They said Kawhi to Lakers or Philly. Pops told Magic where to put it. He went to Raptors. Jimmy said he wanted Clippers, Knicks, or Nets, then Miami. Thibs told Magic where to put it. He went to Philly.
Are you concerned about Love going to Denver? Or just dumping out your unresolved issues to the universe.
Are you talking to the article or me? I said nothing about Love going to Denver and I enjoy associating with “good people.”
I wish I could ask Stein, Vardon, Sharania, Wojnorowski, etc. what they think of your opinions of them in this blog and how they would feel about you running their industry.
Well considering the article is about Love to Denver you not saying anything about it proves his point. Your new years resolution should be to stay on topic atleast once a day
Luke might have polls where we think Durant, Kawhi, Kyrie, Butler, Cousins, Klay, Harris, Vucevic, Kemba, and Cauley-Stein will go. Compare to what the media says, and then to what actually happens. Get “everybody’s” opinion.
You’ve past the point of ridiculous with the Kevin Love stories. Look in the mirror.