Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (Photo : Reuters/ Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
At the moment he first set foot in Northeast Ohio, All-Star power forward Kevin Love stressed that he wanted to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers for a long haul. Seven months after that blockbuster trade, Love's future with the wine-and-gold is clouded with uncertainty, especially with the free-agency period looming in the picture.
According to NBA insider Chris Broussard of ESPN, several NBA executives are convinced Love would consider bolting out from Cleveland if offered a lucrative contract and bigger role. The veteran NBA analyst stated that Love is increasingly getting frustrated with his current situation with the Cavaliers, who utilized him more often as a floor-spacer than a low-post threat.
On the other hand, Broussard even believed the Cavaliers might as well part ways with Love if he doesn't provide the goods they wanted from him, especially in the postseason.
Love, who is averaging 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game via ESPN Stats (both below his career averages, is expected to opt out from the final year of his contract this summer in hope of landing a $20MM-plus per year max deal - a contract the Cavaliers will have a closer look at.
"Cleveland hasn't given any indication that they don't want Love back. He does bring something on the table. He's their best rebounder. He missed five games this season, four of those games Cleveland has been outrebounded," said Broussard.
So it's likely to come down to how things go in the postseason. As what they have been saying, if they reach the finals, Love plays a critical role, plays well, then you would think they want to do it again. If they go out in the Eastern Conference playoffs at some point, Love is benched in some fourth quarter, doesn't play well, then both sides may want to part ways.
