Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love (Photo : Getty Images)
The tough road to back-to-back championships just got tougher for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday when Kevin Love was ruled out for six weeks. With the Boston Celtics creeping up behind the defending champs, should the Cavaliers trade for Carmelo Anthony?
Love complained about pain on his left knee over the weekend and he underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday in New York City, per ESPN. A loose body from the knee was reportedly removed and the procedure was performed by Dr. David Altchek.
"Sucks. It's just our road every season. One of our key guys get hurt and this year has probably been the worst out of all years. Having our starting 2-guard out for so long and now having our All-Star power forward out for an extended period of time," James told reporters on Tuesday.
The injury to Love means James will not get rest heading to the playoffs where the Cavaliers could face the red-hot Celtics, the improved Wizards and the reloaded Raptors. The Celtics are the second-best team in the East while the Wizards look like the dark horse of the postseason.
As for the Raptors, they are struggling at the moment but they made a big move on Tuesday. The Raptors acquired Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Terrence Ross and 2017 first-round pick, per NBA.com.
With all that said, should the Cavs finally trade for Melo to provide backup for "The King" and Kyrie Irving? According to Chris Broussard of FOX Sports, the injury to Love has opened the doors for a possible Melo-for-Love swap with the Knicks.
"I don't want to sound like something I'm pushing it because I'm really not sure what I would do if I was Cleveland. It just makes it something that I would start to think about now, whereas before it was like, no way," Broussard said on The Herd.
The injury to Love makes it easier for the Cavaliers to accept a one-on-one trade for Anthony. The 32-year-old is still one of the best scorers in the NBA. If the Cavs get him and J.R. Smith returns, the defending champs will have an offense close or better than the Warriors.
James is all about winning championships at this stage of his career. He cannot do it if he's exhausted come playoff time or if the Cavs are not fully healthy. Nevertheless, it's tough times in Cleveland at the moment and they should be worried if the Celtics make a game-changing deal at the trade deadline.
