NBA Trade Rumors: Cavs asking for a first-round pick in exchange for Kevin Love
NBA Trade Rumors: If any team is going to land Kevin Love ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, they’re going to have to include a first-round pick
The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t exactly hiding the fact that they’re open to trading Kevin Love, their perennial all-star that still has plenty left in the tank at just 31 years of age. Even though he’s only averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds on 44 percent shooting from the floor, there’s no question that his current circumstance has plenty to do with that.
Nevertheless, a new landing spot (perhaps on a contender) could give Love a second wind to his career. However, if a team is interested in adding Love before this year’s NBA Trade Deadline (which is still over two months away) it’s going to be costly.
According to a recent report, the Cavs want a first-round pick for Kevin Love. Interestingly enough, that asking price has gotten teams a bit hesitant.
Any team absorbing Love would take a huge commitment. Love is under contract through the 2022-23 season and is in line $31 million in each of the next two seasons, and then $29 million entering that final season of his contract.
Teams interested need to be sold on what they have on their roster, and have a plan in the event that taking a chance on Love doesn’t work out. Getting out from his contract could be difficult in a couple of seasons, assuming Love takes a bit of a step back.
Nevertheless, it would be surprising if there wasn’t a robust market for Love in the coming weeks and months. Despite his contract and the first-round pick demand, there will almost certainly be a handful of teams interested in Love’s services.
Even at this point in his career, Love is still a double-double machine and a good 3-point shooter. He’s a player that could take a team over the top and would excel as any contender’s second-best player.
Question is, which team will go all-in and take a change on Kevin Love?