Is it fair to say the Cavaliers are still amid a Kevin Love “saga”?
Just a year ago, that was the word thrown around to describe the forward’s tenure with Cleveland.
And, to be sure, “saga” is not a word thrown around to describe a positive, good stint somewhere.
And on the heels of the 2020-21 season, Love was certainly in the midst of a terrible, no good, very bad place.
He netted near-career lows in points (12.2) and field goals made (4.1).
But his attitude was far worse than any lackluster box score.
Love looked disdainful, embarrassed, and just . . . over it.
He went from playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, winning 50+ games a season, to shepherding a young, lottery-bound, and painfully raw squad.
Further, Love was all but shipped out of Cleveland, with speculation he could be traded away for peanuts, to get his pessimism out of the locker room.
Flash forward, and Love has carved out a real spot on this team.
Love proved himself to be a capable spark plug off the bench, a role he and coach J.B. Bickerstaff agreed to before the season started.
Of course, it probably helps to play with Evan Mobley, a Darius Garland who finally looked the part of a franchise playmaker, and, most importantly, win.
So now, of all times, it’s unlikely the team pulls off a move to get Love out of Cleveland, right?
Right…?!
Maybe not.
Here are three reasons why the Cavs should move on now from Kevin Love:
1. Expiring Contract, Leverage
First and foremost, Love is on an expiring contract.
This year, the Cavs owe Love just over $28.9 million.
Trading Wiggins for Kevin Love was a mistake
— Ace Boogie (@NewStripeCity) May 23, 2022
But next year?
Nothing.
That awful Kevin Love contract, that albatross keeping the team from making any big moves, disappears come next summer.
So if Cleveland is going to move Love, they’re on the clock N-O-W.
If they fail to move Love sooner rather than later, they risk Love leaving town for nothing.
And don’t expect the Cavs to be all that keen on bringing Love back in free agency, either.
The timing of Love’s contract is perfect, with Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Caris LeVert all facing possible extensions shortly.
Would Love come back for less salary?
Maybe.
If not, the Cavs shouldn’t (and, frankly, can’t) bring him back.
So the squad is left with one move: cash in on Love now and net some capital that could go towards making the team more competitive in the long term.
2. High Stock
Everyone knows the cardinal rule of stock trading: buy low and sell high.
And for Cleveland, Kevin Love’s stock is never going to be higher.
He’s fresh off a rejuvenated season, one where he showed his capacity to contribute to a winning team.
The only problem?
How many “winning teams” are looking for a $30 million bench piece?
How many “winning teams” even have $30 million to throw around.
In probably any Love deal, the Cavs would have to take back another team’s expiring contract, to make the money work.
That was true last summer as much as it is now.
The only difference?
Now, Cleveland might be able to net an asset or two instead of having to sweeten the pot for some other team because of Love’s poor value.
3. Timeline
You can’t order off the kid’s menu forever.
And Kevin Love’s time munching on a Mighty Kid’s Meal has likely come and gone.
The Warriors might be in the Finals but don’t forget that in 2016 they blew a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers after a 73-win season with the first-ever unanimous MVP in Steph Curry
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) May 27, 2022
One of the biggest problems facing Love is his fit age-wise with this Cavaliers team.
20, 22, 21, 23, 24, 33.
Six ages of current Cavs players.
I bet you guessed which one is Kevin Love’s.
He’s a nice veteran presence who’s gone all the way.
But he’s not in this team’s long-term plan.
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