Cleveland Cavaliers: Mozgov Or Love-Who’s Gonna Be Dealt?
By Ryan Rosko
If the Cleveland Cavaliers make a trade prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, Timofey Mozgov or Kevin Love is likely to be included.
By Thursday, which is the day of the NBA Trade Deadline, we will know if the Cleveland Cavaliers make a trade(s). Two players, Love and Mozgov are on the wish lists of other NBA teams and for good reasons.
Love is not a number one option for a team, but he is a very good second. Seven-foot centers are not everywhere and as athletic as Mozgov is, who wouldn’t want him manning the middle in the right situation?
Although both players have plenty to offer, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ top priority is figuring out how to beat the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. Both Love’s and Mozgov’s impact against those team have not been felt as much as it could be. It is even harder to see a realistic chance of success with Mozgov versus the Warriors because of the style of basketball they play.
Love signed a $110 million contract this past offseason and Mozgov is a free agent after the season. Due to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ finances are and the money Mozgov is likely to expect, trading him (if they do not believe they can make room for him next season) makes plenty of sense.
Both players would require a huge return, so which player is more likely to go by the 18th? That would depend on the team(s) who would want to make a trade.
Since Mozgov has one year left, he could be sent to a rebuilding team for some decent player(s) that could re-sign him to a big contract. He could also go to a title contender either for a pick and an upcoming player or multiple solid players and let him walk after the season.
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Love’s contract is worth five years. Wherever he is playing, he will be a key player. If a team such as the Boston Celtics wanted to make him the focal point of the organization, while leading a younger team, the return would be a great benefit for Cleveland. Shooting guard/small forward Jae Crowder (who is a very good up and coming player and former Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick) along with a first round pick should just be the start of that deal .
If Cleveland were to move Love, that would mean their “Big Three” was a failure. Yes, the Cavaliers went to the NBA Finals last season, but a team does not simply trade away one of their best players for various reasons.
Love has been banged up, but all three of the Miami Heat’s “Big Three” had their runs of bad games (to their standards) and/or injuries from time to time (mainly shooting guard Dwyane Wade). Miami did not move a key player and at the end of their run they finished with two championships.
Love has been playing much better under new Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue. Unless Cleveland gets absolutely blow out of the water with a trade offer, Love is not going anywhere. As for Mozgov, he gives plenty of size for Cleveland and that is needed for the team come the playoffs.
Mozgov is more likely to go given his ability to impact games and his contract. Should he go, it would be great to see a big man be part of the return Cleveland gets back. Who knows, both or neither could get sent packing.
Next: What Trade Scenario Would Be Great To See Happen?
One thing that is not going to slow down is all of the rumblings, and that in itself is exciting.