Despite prior indications of having no plans to trade forward Kevin Love, the Cleveland Cavaliers could now warm up to the idea with a clear rebuild ahead of them after the departure of LeBron James to the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, the Cavs seem to be open to kick the tires on a potential deal, now that the incertitude surrounding James is no longer a lingering issue.
“They’re certainly no longer championship contenders. Despite insistence from the organization that they are not interested in trading Love, multiple sources from around the league insist they are indeed open to moving him. It makes perfect sense to deal him now.”
The Cavs will have to rebuild around their young pieces, especially rookie Collin Sexton, who they drafted with the prized No. 8 overall pick — one that they protected at all costs throughout the regular season.
Trading Love, one of the biggest contracts in the books — would allow some level of flexibility, along with the possibility of acquiring future assets, if they plan to grow through the NBA Draft, as they once did with James in 2003.
Love’s stock has surely gone down tremendously since 2014, but he still holds some value as a modern stretch-four that can spread out the floor and average close to double-digit boards.