NBA Rumors: Cavs Open Up Slots, Love Trade Coming Soon
The Cleveland Cavaliers trading Kevin Love looks imminent. After a forgetful series of events that included the 31-year-old “erupting” at general manager Koby Altman. Obviously frustrated, it seems like a clear sign that relationships are strained within the Cavs organization and the former NBA champion wants out.
Love’s brush with Altman is not the only one indicating that the five-time NBA All-Star wants out. He also had an incident involving Collin Sexton, visibly frustrated at the sophomore guard and demanding for the ball at midcourt. The 6-foot-8 center-forward did eventually apologize for his “childish” actions but it seems pretty clear he wants out, Cleveland.com reported.
Kevin Love has absolutely had it with Collin Sexton pic.twitter.com/lib6gql0mx
— Everything Cleveland (@EverythingCLE_) January 5, 2020
With the NBA trade deadline set for Feb. 6, a multiplayer deal for Love seems to be the only thing that would make sense. The five-time All-Star owns a hefty five-year $120 million contract, something that will be hard to move. Worse, Love is only in the first year of that deal per Spotrac.
One team that has been linked to Love is the Portland Trail Blazers, a place he calls home. While head coach Terry Stotts could put him to good use alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, the Blazers need to give up multiple players. Two names come to mind – Hassan Whiteside and Kent Bazemore, players who own hefty deals. Whiteside is due $27.1 million while Bazemore is set to make $19.3 million this season. Both will hit free agency in the summer.
There is no doubt that Love could be a big improvement for the Blazers if ever the deal does get done. However, Portland needs someone who can play the post. Most know how Love struggled when LeBron James was still in Cleveland, failing to be inside presence the Cavs needed. There is a possibility that it would be deja vu for the 5th overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft all over again.
If not the Blazers, another sensible team would be the Miami Heat. Head coach Erik Spoelstra could use another All-Star in the mix and boost their chances this season. Further, Miami could finally rid themselves of certain players owning hefty deals. Dion Waiters, James Johnson, and Goran Dragic are the players concerned, the ones who were the subject of trade talks as early as last summer. However, it remains to be seen if the Cavs would be amenable to deal with the Heat.
Things are expected to get clearer with the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline nearing. If a trade fails to materialize, expect something to go down once the 2019-20 NBA season closes for the Cavs.
