Cleveland Cavs: Best Kevin Love trade options for all 29 NBA teams
By Chad Porto
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: G/F Kevin Huerter, F Chandler Parsons, 2020 first-round draft pick
The Hawks made an inexplicable trade to re-acquire point guard Jeff Teague in a move that saw Minnesota ship Allen Crabbe to Atlanta in exchange for the former All-Star. If they’re forgoing big moves in free agency, and trying to build a team through the trade instead, then getting Kevin Love would set them up for competition next season. The Hawks have John Collins already but he can be shifted to the five spot to allow for Love to take the court as a starter. Giving up Kevin Huerter might hurt, but the only other option is Cam Reddish and there’s no telling if he’ll have the same upside as Huerter.
Trade Grade: B+
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F Marvin Williams, F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, 2020 first-round draft pick
The Hornets are only five games out of the last seed, and the team is so pathetically run (sorry Charlotte fans) that there isn’t a clear direction the franchise is going. Are they trying to compete? Are they trying to tank? Who knows. Michael Jordan is the worst owner of all time. The worst that isn’t an out and out racist that is. If the Cavs can bring Miles Bridges in the trade as well, that’d be even better, though I don’t think the Hornets would be willing to part with a rising prospect. Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist aren’t going to set the world on fire and would be nothing more than extra bodies for the team to use until their deals expire. With Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Dylan Windler, Kevin Porter Jr. Cedi Osman, Larry Nance and Ante Zizic on the roster for sure next year, with two potential first-round picks and a potential $60 million in cap space, the Cavs could be the team to watch next year.
Trade Grade: C
Miami Heat
Miami Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F James Johnson, F/C Myers Leonard, SF Duncan Robinson, one unprotected first-round, one second-round draft pick.
This is again another trade where most of the assets are just cap filler. James Johnson should be deactivated and left at home, and Myers Leonard won’t be on the team on 2020-2021. Duncan Robinson, however, could be a great starter at a guard or forward spot alongside Cedi Osman, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. With how much the Cavs are taking back (Johnson), a first and a second have to be attached in order to eat that contract. Love fits in well, and if the Heat won’t give up Robinson, Tyler Herro can be an interchangeable piece.
Trade Grade: B+
Orlando Magic
Orlando Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F Aaron Gordon, C Mo Bamba
This one is straight up, no draft picks needed. Aaron Gordon is better than his current season should lend one to believe and Mo Bamba has range for a scorer, great shot-blocking potential and is young enough to turn his career around. This makes some of the most sense for both teams and would allow Orlando to be competitive into the first/second round of the NBA Playoffs.
Trade Grade: B+
Washington Wizards
Washington Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: Ian Mahinmi, Davis Bertans, Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga
Let’s be honest, Rui Hachimura is the goal in this trade, but that seems unlikely. Mahinmi gets waived, and you see what Isaac Bonga, Moritz Wagner, and Davis Bertans can give you. This would be a win-now move by Washington, who’s only four games out of the playoffs (The Cavs are only 6). If the Wizards want to keep Bradley Beal, this move makes sense. That said, they still need to get rid of John Wall somehow.
Trade Grade: C-