An executive on the Cleveland Cavaliers understands people around the league believe the Cavs should be looking to trade veterans Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson and Jordan Clarkson.
While this Cavs exec won’t rule out a trade happening later in the season, he says the three veterans will “help us stay competitive” and teach the young guys on the roster what it takes to win in the NBA.
“It’s easy to say we should be dumping all of our vets,” the Cavs exec told Keith Smith of Real GM. “We get it. But the reality is that the best thing for young players it to be in competitive situations. Guys like Kevin and Tristan and Jordan will help us stay competitive. If the right opportunity comes up to improve our team moving forward, we’ll discuss it. Until then, we’re happy to move forward with what we have.”
The Cavs’ roster is headlined by Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, Cedi Osman, Larry Nance Jr. and rookies Kevin Porter Jr. and Darius Garland. Cleveland won’t be competing for a playoff spot next season, but like the exec says, it’s going to be beneficial for guys like Sexton, Garland and Porter Jr. to be around veterans who have won championships like Love and Thompson.
Love is by far the best player on the Cavs. The five-time All-Star only played in 22 games last season, so he wasn’t able to develop a rapport with Sexton on the court. Hopefully, Love stays healthy in 2019-20 and gets to play with Sexton and Garland and teach the young guards how to effectively run an NBA offense.