Cleveland Cavs: Best Kevin Love trade options for all 29 NBA teams

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 20: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at TD Garden on January 20, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

Boston Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: G Romeo Langford, PF Daniel Theis, PG Marcus Smart, F Grant Williams

A second trade will need to be in order to possibly clear a roster spot, and it goes without saying that in a trade with three extra players coming in, the likes of John Henson, and Matthew Dellavedova might be released. They’re all on one-year deals and would need to be cleared in order to bring in Marcus Smart, Romeo Langford, and Grant Williams. This trade is a bit overburdened due to the number of talent the Cavs would get back, and the lack of less-expensive contracts on the roster to send back. Langford and Williams offer upside, but Langford would be part of a crowded backcourt. So unless Smart gets traded in the offseason, he’d be lost in Cleveland. Same for Theis.

Trade Grade: C+

Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Gets: F Kevin Love, G Kevin Porter Jr.
Cleveland Gets: PG Spencer Dinwiddie, SG Joe Harris, G Garrett Temple, and SG Dzana Musa

Again, this isn’t the best move for the Cavs. Spencer Dinwiddie and Joe Harris could improve the team greatly but both are going to be free agents. Garrett Temple will get lost on the bench, and Dzana Musa might be a prospect to build around. If the team can re-sign at least Dinwiddie then this trade works out. Retaining Dinwiddie and Harris would be the cat’s pajamas. When Kevin Durant heals, the Nets starting five could look like Kyrie Irving, Caris LeVert, Durant, Love and DeAndre Jordan; with Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince, Kevin Porter Jr. and Rodions Kurucs off the bench.

Trade Grade: B-

New York Knicks

New York Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F Marcus Morris Sr., PG Elfrid Payton, PG Frank Ntilikina, F Ignas Brazdeikis

This is obviously a bad trade for all those involved. Morris Sr would get waived, the team would again be backlogged with massive amounts of point guards, and the only young prospect worth anything, Ignas Brazdeikis, hasn’t shown enough to warrant trading away Kevin Love. The problem that the Knicks face is there are no expiring contracts. Of all the “far fetched” teams on this list, the Knicks may be the absolute least likely.

Trade Grade: C-

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: C Al Horford, SG Zhaire Smith, an unprotected first-round draft pick

This is just as bad as the Knicks deal, but you can at least snatch a first-round pick from the 76ers. They’re expected to be a late playoff team, so the pick won’t be that hard to get. The only problem here is, just like New York, the lack of good deals. With the makeup of the team, trading Ben Simmons makes the most sense, but you’re not getting Simmons for Kevin Love. Even if Simmons has largely been a disappointment since being selected first overall. Al Horford is here to make the money work but he’d be traded again as soon as the off-season hits.

Trade Grade: D+

Toronto Raptors

Toronto Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: SF OG Anunoby, C Marc Gasol

It’s not entirely clear how much OG Anunoby is valued by the franchise. The Raptors star player Pascal Siakam can play small or power forward, so it’s not like you’re harming the lineup that much. A first-round pick should be attached but again, but the addition of Anunoby may prohibit that. With Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Serge Ibaka on the roster, it’s not like they’ll miss too much size either in the deal.

Trade Grade: C+

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