Kevin Love (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue even as the playoffs wind to its epic conclusion.
It would almost be a crime to involve any of the Cleveland Cavaliers in trade rumors at this stage of the playoffs. The team is playing their best basketball and is still undefeated at the playoffs.
However, some pundits mention that the flawless slate of the Cleveland Cavaliers are a testament to the weakness of the Eastern Conference. While the Cavs are playing really well, they are likely to enter the NBA Finals untested. On the other hand the teams on the other side are really good.
The Golden State Warriors or the Oklahoma City Thunder do not have sweeps in their resume in this year's playoffs but they have battled very impressive teams and if either one of them defeats the Cavs, the issues may unravel again.
The Denver Nuggets were revealed to be a suitor for Love from way back as revealed by Ben Dowsett of Basketball Insiders.
"The Nuggets made significant inquiries on Love while he was still in Minnesota and remain potentially interested in adding star power at the top of their depth chart."
If the Nuggets do make a run for Love, they have a lot to offer the Cleveland Cavaliers. Probably their top veteran trade asset, Danilo Gallinari plays a similar role with Love and is probably the coveted piece. But one player that the Cavs should take a risk on is Kenneth Faried.
Faried is most likely falling out of the rotation as Dowsett suggests. "But as a big who can't shoot or defend the rim, there's a real chance Faried is near the bottom of that totem pole before long. That situation could get sticky in a hurry," Dowsett wrote.
A change of scenery could benefit Faried who can still give a much needed boost to a team's second unit. Denver team site NuggLove noted that "his hustle and heart are unmatched in this league, and he certainly deserves to be commended for his natural athletic ability."
The Cleveland Cavaliers will not lack for talent as long LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are in the roster. They can reload shooters to compensate for Kevin Love's ability to space the floor.
If the Nuggets hypothetically offer a package of Kenneth Faried, center Jusuf Nurkic (to replace free agent Timofey Mozgov) and one of the Nuggets first round picks (Houston or Portland, 15th and 19th respectively), that could be enough for the Cavs to give up Love-assuming they lose in the Finals.
