Cleveland Cavs: Grading the tradable assets at mid-season
By Chad Porto
Kevin Love
Trade Value: B+
Trade Return: Mid-1st or lower, several 2nd picks, one young prospect and one potential roleplayer off the bench.
– Kevin Love is an A-player in my book, but his contract does come with a heavy price tag. He’s as good of a scorer as he’s ever been and finally healthy looks like he’s returned to form. The problem is the team he’s on doesn’t play through him as they should. Love is a perfect compliment to someone like Luka Doncic in Dallas, or even Chris Paul in Oklahoma City. A player who can work the low post with a variety of moves, stretch the court and best of all – pass from the block.
Love’s ability to pass has been an underrated skill of his for years. If a team treated him like Denver does to Nikola Jokic, Love could easily amass six or seven assists a game throughout the year. His shooting allows him to space the court, which opens up lanes for guys to cut to the rim. That makes Love just about the perfect compliment for any team chasing a title in 2020.
His lone knock is his defense. While he’s not a turnstile like many to claim, the fact is he isn’t the most athletic guy and can’t block shots. He’s able to back down an opponent though. He’ll never give up the low post easily, willing to bang with just about anyone. He’s often referred to as the fullback of the NBA and there’s some truth to that. Love is very physical. Just avoid doing what Cleveland did during their playoff runs and have him guard Kevin Durant. No one looks good guarding Durant; which is why LeBron James didn’t do it.
Likeliest landing spots: Boston, Los Angeles (Lakers), Orlando