The NBA trade rumors just won't stop for Kevin Love, but in the next months he can concentrate on playing basketball.
Something which he does very well as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Oklahoma City Thunder in what many consider as a "statement game."
The media has been speculating on Love almost non-stop this season, specifically his relationship with his teammates and with former coach David Blatt. It was believed that the Cavs would fire Blatt or trade Kevin Love, or even both. The Cavs took the easier route and Love is all the better for it as he expressed on WKYC.com.
"The same thing was said last year, but the fact is, you guys are stuck with me, so I'm here," Love said. "I'm happy to be here and I want to win."
The trade rumors and possible free agency speculation hounded Love throughout the season. He tried to decisively end those discussions by promptly signing with the Cavs.
But the trade rumblings persisted as the Cavs were seen as a tier below the heavyweights-the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.
The Cavs did make a trade and while Love expressed relief that it's not him, he laments for those who left.
"I'm very sad to see Andy go and J.C. go," Love said. "It's a business, but those guys are quality teammates. We have a team that really gets along, and it's just part of the league. It's a little bittersweet, but we're excited about what Channing can bring to this team."
Now the Cavs can make their title run and hopefully, Love will be a key contributor this season. He missed most of the playoffs because of a an injury he suffered in the first round against the Celtics.
There are still pundits who believe that the title run would determine Love's long-term fate with the Cavaliers. One of them is ESPN expert Marc Stein, who thinks that a trade involving Love may happen in the summer.
"I do think a Love trade is inevitable at this point, so I can't criticize the Cavaliers for not doing something that I expect will happen this summer," Stein said. "I'm convinced the Cavs are going to change the complexion of the team in the offseason, but the reality is that trading a player of Love's magnitude is easier in the summer."
The use of the term "inevitable" merits some interest. He cites that there are definitely a lot of factors why a trade at the deadline is not a wise move and this season is worth playing through. Beyond that is another question.