Central Notes: Love, Cunningham, Pistons’ Top Pick, Grant

Kevin Love was a controversial selection to Team USA and he’s eager to prove he can still be a high-level player for both the country and the Cavaliers, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. Love appeared in just 25 games this season and hasn’t played in more than 60 games in any of the last five seasons.

“I’m very vocal about that in the public saying I wasn’t where I wanted to be, mostly for my team, my coaching staff and for the Cavs in general. For me to come here, I feel like I have a lot to prove, but I feel that way coming into every season,” Love said. “Obviously it’s been unlucky, unfortunate and there’s been injuries that have happened — you’ve seen this whole year that happened with guys — so for me, when I have something to prove it always blends for better basketball for me. Being around these guys I think it helps elevate my mindset and my game in a big way.”

We have from around the Central Division:

  • The Cavaliers are “definitely looking into” the possibility of trading with the Pistons for the No. 1 pick and drafting Cade Cunningham but the cost would be high, Fedor reports in a separate story. It’s speculated that the package Cleveland would have to give up would exceed what the 76ers traded in 2017 for the top pick. Philadelphia took Markelle Fultz after giving up the No. 3 pick and a 2018 first-rounder that had some protections attached. Cleveland might have to give up the No. 3 overall pick, an unprotected future first-rounder, and perhaps a good young player to entice Detroit.
  • Along those same lines, The Athletic’s James Edwards III takes a look at eight potential trade scenarios for the Pistons involving the top pick. His hypothetical offers include the Thunder trading the No. 6 pick and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as the Raptors dealing the No. 4 pick and OG Anunoby for the No. 1 pick, Mason Plumlee and Cory Joseph.
  • Jerami Grant was the final selection for Team USA and the Pistons forward sees his role as providing energy when he plays, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press tweets“I’m going to be playing a lot of defense, hitting open shots, being aggressive when I get the opportunity,” he said.
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