It is hard to believe there was some early optimism surrounding Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers when they began the season 3-0. Now, they are 14-22 and looking to move on from multiple veterans in the front-court.
Everyone knows the team is looking to move center Andre Drummond. He has not played in a game since February 12th, as the team is evaluating his playing future. It will not be in Cleveland, as they will either trade him by the March 25th deadline or buy him out.
In addition to Drummond, the Cavaliers would reportedly also “love to move” Love before the deadline, according to Sam Amico of FortyEightMinutes.com.
“On the other hand, the Cavs would love to move Kevin Love, but as one opposing GM predicted to FortyEightMinutes, ‘That’s not happening,’” Amico wrote.
The 32-year-old Love appeared in the first two games of the season for the Cavaliers, but has missed every game since with a calf strain. There was optimism he would be returning soon as he ramped up his participation in practice, but he remains sidelined.
While the Cavaliers would love to continue their youth movement by parting ways with Love, numerous reasons exist as to why that is not happening, as Amico reported. His current injury status is one of them, but his contract is another.
Kevin Love is under contract for two more seasons following this current one and is set to earn over $60 million over that span. There aren’t many teams in the NBA that can fit that kind of salary onto their books, let alone be willing to do so.
Cleveland has an intriguing young core with Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen. Only three games out of a playoff spot currently, Love could help them make a push.
Showcasing that he is over his injury and can still help a team looking to make noise in the playoffs is the best-case scenario for Cleveland. The Cavaliers could then look to trade him again in the offseason with some improved value.
