Cleveland Cavaliers: The Curious Case Of Kevin Love And Where He Can Be Traded

Jan 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard J.R. Smith (5) (left) watch from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Phoenix won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard J.R. Smith (5) (left) watch from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Phoenix won 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko (8) during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 103-95. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko (8) during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 103-95. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Love To The Lakers

As for the Lakers, we know they’re hungry to bring a superstar back to the Staples Center. While I have high hopes for guys like Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and their upcoming pick of what I can only assume is Brandon Ingram, a proven commodity like Love would be like manna from heaven for an increasingly desperate fan base.

Furthermore, Love’s days as a UCLA Bruin only further cements what looks like a potentially nice reunion for him. It doesn’t quite work though. The biggest single consternation with Love for Cavs’ fans was his defensive shortcomings.

The Lakers have ZERO forms of rim protection and no players that can cover for Love in the pick-and-roll. In fact, I see Randle having many of Love’s same defensive struggles as his career goes on. For the Lakers, it seems way more sensible to acquire guys who can help their young guys grow and mature as future cornerstones as opposed to doing the same things that already gotten them into this position…but this is also the Lakers…so who knows?

So yea, let’s rule those out…and really any other team that can’t get Love to fit into their desired offense or effectively cover his defensive shortcomings. We are saving Love’s career after all.

Next: Rockets?