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

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 14: Tomas Satoransky #31 of the Chicago Bulls moves against Jerome Robinson #1 of the LA Clippers at the United Center on December 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Clippers 109-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Central Division

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F Lauri Markkannen, F Thadeus Young, PF/C Cristiano Felicio, two second-round draft picks.

The team is clearly in some sort of limbo at the moment, so it might be better to double down and go for broke. The team has a lot of money tied up for the next two to three years with over $56 million dedicated to three players, so why not? Kevin Love is Lauri Markkannen all grown up, and there isn’t any doubt about Love’s future. People know what to expect from him, while Markkannen has spent most of the 2019-2020 season being maligned by critics for playing poorly. Love is the better player in the trade, but Markkannen has better potential, so that’s why it’s 2nd’s and not 1st round picks in the deal. The two bodies included are just to make the money work, and Thadeus Young could be bought out to free up a roster spot.

Trade Grade: B-

Detroit Pistons

Detroit Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: PG Reggie Jackson, SG Langston Galloway, SG/SF Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, a lottery-protected first-round draft pick, two second-round draft picks.

Reggie Jackson might be waived in this situation, as he’s on an expiring deal. Langston Galloway isn’t that valuable but could be swapped later on. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is the only prospect that seems gettable on this roster, with the obvious favorite being Luke Kennard. Kennard isn’t being traded by Detroit for Love, so that’s out of the question.

Trade Grade: C+

Indiana Pacers

Indiana Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: C Myles Turner, SF Douglas McDermott, PF T.J. Leaf

Considering any trade of Love will also be bookended by a trade of Tristan Thompson to somewhere else, Myles Turner will find a nice spot in the center of the Cavs plans. Incumbent big man in Indiana, Domantas Sabonis is too good to pass on, and he and Turner can’t play together. Sabonis and Love would make a better duo, allowing Sabonis to play his more natural position of center.

Trade Grade: B

Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: PG George Hill, PF Ersan Ilyasova, PF D.J. Wilson, G Donte Divincenzo, F Dragon Bender, unprotected first-round pick

This may seem like a lot, but George Hill’s deal is gross. Ersan Ilyasova has a more manageable deal and could be bought out depending on expectations for the next season. Donte DiVincenzo is the centerpiece, as is the first-round pick. Kevin Love actually fits well with the Bucks, and he and the Lopez brothers would be a great fit. With one twin rotating at the five, and Love at the four, with Giannis Antekempo setting up both guys for three’s and you can see this team succeed. That said, the Bucks don’t need to make a trade.

Trade Grade: C+

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