It’s hard to deny that the recent arrival of Lauri Markkanen has put a further dent in Kevin Love’s future with the Cleveland Cavaliers. As such, it comes to no surprise that Love appears to have one huge regret over the Cavs’ recent dealings.
Cleveland shipped off Larry Nance Jr. to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the Markkanen deal, and it looks like Love isn’t too happy with this development. It’s not that he’s going to miss his former teammate, but according to an anonymous rival GM, Love was hoping to have switched places with Nance (h/t Cavs insider Sam Amico):
“Kevin Love wishes it had been him and not (Larry Nance Jr) who got traded to Portland. … Cavs are in a no-win situation with (Love).”
This does not come as a surprise at all. Kevin Love has long been linked to a move away from Cleveland, and it’s been a poorly kept secret that the Cavs have been trying to find a suitable trade partner for the former All-Star. Love is not numb to all these rumors, and it only makes sense that he too no longer sees any point in staying in Cleveland.
The good news for Love is that it looks like he should still be on his way out of the Cavs sooner or later. There have been conflicting reports about a potential buyout from Cleveland, and while this may not come to fruition in the immediate future, what is clear is that both parties are looking to move on from what has become an ugly situation.
