The Cleveland Cavaliers didn't just lose to the Golden State Warriors last night, they were embarrassed. The Warriors dominated the Cavs and cruised to a 132-98 win. The game made one thing clear; the Cavs aren't going to win an NBA Title with their current roster. Something needs to change, and that change might be moving Kevin Love out of town.
Love was just awful last night on both offense and defense. He was a mere 1 of 5 from the field, hitting a three-pointer and bringing down six rebounds. There was also his atrocious defense, and scholars will research for years to figure out what exactly Love was doing on this play.
Love signed a five-year, $110 million deal this offseason. That's a hefty deal, but it is moveable. While Love has struggled, he has plenty of talent. He's just not what the Cavs need right now.
The Cavaliers should look to deal Love and see if they can get the key piece in return that will help them capture that elusive NBA title. The Cavaliers have the needed pieces to make a deal and there's also a $10.5 million trade exception the Cavaliers can use. All of these trades work out money-wise, according to ESPN's trade generator. With all of that mind, here are 3 Potential Trades The Cavs Can Make For Kevin Love To Save The Season:
Honorable Mention: Boston Celtics
Celtics Get: Love
Cavs Get: ???
While Love has been linked to the Celtics plenty of times already (and probably will continue to be), the Cavs moving him to Boston doesn't really make sense. Boston would jump all over Love, but don't have the players currently to make the deal worthwhile. They'd likely have to give up the Nets' unprotected first round pick. That's something the Celtics don't want to do and it might not even be enough to get Love.
3. Sacramento Kings
Kings Get: Love, Draft Picks
Cavs Get: DeMarcus Cousins
The alternative deal for this is the teams swapping Kosta Koufos and Timofey Mozgov, but that doesn't really help the Kings very much. Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN's Mike and Mike Tuesday morning that he's heard the Cavs are very interested in Cousins in exchange for Love and Mozgov. That's not much of a surprise, but they might have a tough time getting Cousins from the Kings. A Love-for-Cousins swap is a deal the Cavs would pull the trigger on in a heartbeat, but the Kings need more. Cousins is a talented big man and the Kings don't want to just give him up. The Cavs might not have the pieces to land Cousins.
2. Utah Jazz
Jazz Get: Love
Cavs Get: Derrick Favors, Trey Burke
Favors is a solid big man, and he might be a better fit for the Cavs than Love. He's better on defense and is still just 24 years old. Burke has played much better this season off the bench, but is stuck behind Raul Neto and (once he's healthy) Dante Exum. He's expendable for the Jazz and helps balance out the money side of the deal. He'd add another solid guard off the bench for the Cavs. Love gives the Jazz the big name and borderline superstar they lack.
1. Houston Rockets
Rockets Get: Love
Cavs Get: Dwight Howard
This is a swap of two players who just aren't fitting in on their current teams. Adding Howard could clog the lane in Cleveland, but there's no doubting his ability. He's reportedly unhappy in Houston and a move to Cleveland could be just what he needs. Of course, he has had issues fitting in everywhere he's been. Love should fit a bit better in Houston. It'd be a blockbuster in every sense of the word. It's unlikely to happen, but it's at least worth looking into.
Back to the Cleveland Cavaliers Newsfeed