The wound is still fresh from the Cleveland Cavaliers' loss to the Warriors in the NBA Finals, but since both teams are expected to meet in the Finals again next season, there are questions as to how the Cavs will improve their roster.
Cleveland doesn't have the cap space to acquire another top-level player, and many think they need another high quality wing player to match the Warriors. Because of that, Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver thinks the Cavs will look into trading Love to add someone like that this offseason.
Love is, and has been, the most expendable of Cleveland’s three stars. This isn’t a “Trade Love because he sucks!” decision, but rather a “Trade Love because matching up with Durant’s Warriors demands it” decision. Indeed, Love was excellent throughout the 2017 playoffs—shooting the ball well, hitting the glass and playing passable defense at both the four and five—and much improved in the 2017 Finals compared to last year. But the Cavaliers have learned over the last two weeks that they can’t beat the Warriors in an up-and-down shootout and that they must improve their defensive personnel. Sacrificing Love’s spread offense and rebounding is the price Cleveland must pay to improve its defense and interchangeability.
The Cavaliers have looked into the possibility of trading Love before, but his contract may make it hard to deal him.
Golliver mentions Paul George and Jimmy Butler as Cleveland's only real targets in such a trade, and there are major hurdles to both deals.
The Bulls have balked at trading Butler both last offseason and at the trade deadline, opting to keep him as the centerpiece of their rebuild. On the flip side, George is entering the final year of his contract with the Pacers and would prefer to sign with the Lakers as a free agent in 2018 - meaning that Cleveland would trade Love for one year of Paul George.
Love played well in the Finals, averaging 16.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, but failed to record double digit points in two of the five games and was a liability on defense against Golden State's versatile attack.
Follow our Cleveland Cavaliers team page for all the latest Cavs rumors!
Back to the Cleveland Cavaliers Newsfeed