Kevin Love (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade deadline was one of the most uneventful in recent years but the negotiations behind the scenes involved some top NBA players.
Most of these transactions were simply on hold as they were dependent on other factors like the salary cap spike or their draft lottery pick. When it involves the Boston Celtics which has a draft pick as their main asset, no deal could be closed.
There was already the rumored Jimmy Butler trade that did not go down. Now, a Kevin Love trade has been confirmed by Zach Lowe of ESPN. Lowe also believes that Love could be traded if the Cavs don't achieve their goal-which is nothing short of a championship.
"If they lose again, I'd bet big on Love being elsewhere -- a split that might end up the best thing for everyone," Lowe declared. "Cleveland and Boston had trade talks for Love at the deadline, though they died with Boston offering a low-ball package the Cavs wouldn't consider, according to several league sources. Even if Boston's interest has faded, someone will call Cleveland about Love around the draft. Wiggins has more trade value than Love now, but that deal was the right move at the time."
This sentiment was echoed by Bleacher Report, saying that "indeed, the Big Three of Love, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving has never really clicked."
The Cavs will probably revisit the trade that did not go down at the deadline. Lowe did not specify the "low-ball" package but it was probably hinged on the Brooklyn Nets unprotected pick, whose value is not yet determined as yet.
There were trade rumors prior to the deadline and Kevin Love was playing at an all-time low. Celtics GM Danny Ainge is always ready to pounce on an opportunity and when coach David Blatt was fired, the Cavs thought it was to announce a Kevin Love trade. It was really that close.
The Cavaliers sacrificed a lot for Kevin Love, as more pundits continue to debate about who won the Love-Wiggins trade. Lowe had his take: "Wiggins has more trade value than Love now, but that deal was the right move at the time."
The bottom line is that the Cavs are following a very strict deadline to win a championship. If they fail to meet that, it's likely that Love will be traded. Boston will be waiting, and their unprotected pick's actual value will be determined.
The odds of defeating the Warriors or the Spurs are slim and so is the probability that the Celtics can get a top free agent or acquire DeMarcus Cousins. Kevin Love could still be their best bet.
