The NBA trade rumors the past week revolved around the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks and the proposed deal trading Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love.
There is mutual interest between both clubs. The Cavs also want Carmelo Anthony and Cleveland is also one of just two cities where Anthony is reportedly willing to waive his no-trade clause for. However, the only caveat is that the Cavs want more value for Love, not just Anthony.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs would be willing to move Love for the "right situation."
"The Cavs would trade Kevin Love this season if the right situation presented itself." Vardon wrote. However, he had to clarify himself, as the Knicks fans could get riled up again.
"Multiple sources told cleveland.com that the Cavs are not interested in trading Love for Anthony, and indicated the general interest level in Anthony was low.
But while the Cavs are not shopping Love, sources said, the right deal could pry him out of Cleveland."
He further explained: "So a deal for Love would have to make the Cavs better. Who they could acquire for Love and his huge contract that would actually improve the team is a small group. In fact, the Cavs would be more likely to seek multiple, gifted role players in return for Love who could play behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, instead of alongside them."
Thus, it's unlikely that there would be a one-for-one trade, such as the Love for DeMarcus Cousins trade rumored during the summer. Fox Sports also delved into that possibility and whether it could be revisited during the deadline. That would improve the Cavaliers chances against the Golden State Warriors.
In a feature from Quentin Albertie, he noted that "the best part is that because of Cousins and Thompson's mobility, as well as Cousins' proficiency from outside, the Cavs don't have to play small against teams against the Golden State Warriors.
They can overwhelm the Warriors, an example because of their small-ball dominance and not just their expected meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals, inside. With their size, the Warriors may be forced out of the Death Lineup."
However, the price for Cousins is steep and the Cavs are on the receiving end on this one-Love is not enough for Cousins and the Cavs don't have much to add.
Thus, for the foreseeable future (read: this season), the Cavs will have Kevin Love. But if they lose to the Warriors (or not even make it to the NBA Finals), Love would not be so secure.