Kevin Love (Photo : REUTERS)
NBA executives believe that the Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to sign and trade star power forward Kevin Love.
Cavs general manager David Griffin wanted to keep the team intact after they posted a 33-3 record, but the team cannot bring all their players back at expected rates.
Otherwise, they may end up spending more than $200 million on payroll, which will be the largest in NBA history.
Of that amount, $56 million will be spent on three guys - LeBron, Love, and Tristan Thompson.
While the Cavs have picked up the option on center Timofey Mozgov, However, LeBron James, J.R. Smith and Kevin Love have player options. Furthermore, Matthew Dellavedova, Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert are restricted free agents.
NBA executives believe that the Love is not indispensible for the Cavs after they advanced to the 2015 Finals without him.
The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics are said to be possible destinations for Love if he leaves the Cavs.
Love mentioned several times that he desires to stay with the Cavs but observers believe that he was not happy playing in a new offensive scheme and being the third option behind James and Kyrie Irving.
The worst case scenario for the Cavs is if Love opts to become an unrestricted free agent.
That means they don't get anything in return for Love after giving up 2014 No.1 pick Andrew Wiggins to get him.
Love dislocated his left shoulder in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics.
He watched at the sidelines as the Cavs marched towards the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
Meanwhile, the Cavs were expected to pick the option on Mozgov because it was a bargain.
Mozgov is now set to earn $4.95 million next season.
He joined the Cavs from the Denver Nuggets in a trade and averaged 10.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 46 regular-season games.
In 20 playoffs games, Mozgov produced averages of 10.6 points and 7.3 rebounds.
