Four Potential Landing Spots For Kevin Love
Kevin Love #KevinLove
The Kevin Love era in Cleveland is over as the Cavaliers have reached a buyout agreement with the veteran forward. Love came to Cleveland in 2014 and helped them reach four consecutive NBA Finals alongside LeBron James. Since LeBron left for Los Angeles, Love has had an up and down relationship with the franchise, signing a big extension and then struggling to adapt to all the losing. Now the team is good again, but there’s not really much use for him.
At 34-years old he’s only playing 20 minutes a game (when healthy) and averaging career-lows in everything. The good news for any team looking for a veteran big man who can stretch the floor is that he’s still averaging 12.3 rebounds per 36 minutes (his career average is 12.4 per 36) and while he’s only shooting 35 percent from three, he did shoot 39 percent just last season. The nicest way to say it is that there are worse options.
Here are four teams that might be able to use him.
Miami Heat
According to The Athletic, the Heat “emerged as [a] suitor” for Love as soon as he was available. Miami needs help down low without many, if any, options after Bam Adebayo. Their depth chart on ESPN has Jimmy Butler listed as their starting power forward and Duncan Robinson as his backup if you need a better picture of how small they play.
Not that they’re very deep in the backcourt right now either. Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo are currently out with injuries. The good news is that Miami has an open roster spot so at least no feelings will be hurt. Just bodies.
Los Angeles Lakers
Sure, why not? LeBron probably trusts Kevin Love and the Lakers are willing to try just about anything. Before beating the Pelicans in their last game before the All-Star break they had dropped three out of their previous four games. So what do they have to lose?
The question is, what is important to Kevin Love? Does he want to win because the Lakers currently have the 13th best record in the Western Conference. Or if you’d rather be pessimistic, the third-worst record in the Western Conference. He can certainly play for the Lakers, but they’re fighting for a spot in the play-in tournament.
Portland Trail Blazers
Again, what is important to Kevin Love? He grew up just south of Portland, Oregon and has previously said playing for his home town team would be special. The Blazers are just 1.5 games better than the Lakers right now and also sit on the outside looking in at the postseason. If the beautiful Pacific Northwest is calling his name, this is a fine option.
As you can guess, the Blazers are not super deep and it reflects in their 28-30 record. Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons are averaging a combined 52.8 points per game and Jusuf Nurkic is currently out with a calf strain. Maybe Love could provide the Blazers with some Carmelo Anthony-esque moments.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Love played the first six years of his career in Minnesota so he wouldn’t even need help navigating the city. You’d be surprised how many visiting athletes become lost in the Mall of America for days at a time. Love in a Wolves’ jersey might be oddly comforting.
The Timberwolves currently have a large hole up front with Karl-Anthony Towns injured and Love could fill that hole until he returns. Minnesota really need to fill that hole. They’re currently the 6-seed in the Western Conference, but they’re just a game and a half behind the Phoenix Suns for the 4-seed. If they struggle for a couple weeks, they’re only two games up on the Blazers and Jazz who aren’t even in the play-in right now. Anything Love can give the Timberwolves would be much appreciated.