Nothing like winning the NBA Championship to finally put those trade rumors to rest. Unfortunately for Kevin Love, it still didn't work.
He's probably used to it since he was the top trade target for the better of two years. He also understands that it's the Cavaliers' call, not his. Thus, the question is, will the Cavaliers trade Kevin Love even after they've established themselves as the best team in the NBA?
This is a question that Kurt Helin of NBC Sports sought to answer. He believes that they won't actually shop him, but neither will they close the door on the possibility. He also mentioned that it's not high on the Cavs' agenda at this point.
"But the Cavs aren't going to move him just to move him and shake things up this summer," Helin said, and he reminds that "Love is not a good fit against the Warriors, but that fit was good enough for Cleveland to win a title with Love playing a significant role."
The key phrase there is good enough. The Cavs are the champions, and Helin noted that "as long as they're healthy, no team in the East will knock them out of the NBA Finals."
But we have an entire offseason ahead. Kevin Durant could sign with Boston or Miami and instantly become a threat. There is already talk about the Warriors pursuing Dirk Nowitzki (read that here) and even Durant as well. Cleveland took home the title by just four points and they needed a superhuman effort from the best player on the planet.
Speaking of LeBron James, he knows how it feels to win the championship through a tight seven-game series where they had to come from behind. They did that in 2013 against the San Antonio Spurs. It left a bitter taste on the Spurs' mouths, and they came back and spanked LeBron's team a year later.
Thus, it would not be wise to rest on their laurels when their rivals are working overtime. Not if they want to defend their title.
Is Kevin Love available? If the Cavs see a window to improve their team, why not? It won't be in the midst of the championship euphoria and they may have to see what their rivals look like when the dust clears.
In a column on The Denver Post, Chris Dempsey urged their team to make another run at Kevin Love, and Cleveland should listen.
"The Nuggets are well-positioned to restock Cleveland with draft picks and veteran players in their prime that can thrive in the up-tempo, space-the-floor game that the Cavaliers ultimately want to make part of their DNA," Dempsey reasoned. "The Nuggets organization probably has just two untouchable players - rookies Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokic - clearing a path for it to do whatever it feels is fair in potential packages in an attempt to trade for Love."
Dempsey named two untouchables on the Nuggets-Emmanuel Mudiay and Nikola Jokic. Thus, they can still offer veterans that the Cavaliers would need. Kenneth Faried could replace Richard Jefferson, who eventually retired. Danilo Gallinari is a cheaper version of Kevin Love.
The Nuggets also have multiple draft picks going forward and they could also offer those for the star that they covet. This could be an interesting possibility since the Cavs probably won't cooperate in making the Boston Celtics better since they could emerge as possible Conference rivals. Dealing with the Nuggets is a safer course.