Kevin Love is the most valuable trade asset the Cleveland Cavs have and with the deadline approaching the team needs to look for the best value.
The Cleveland Cavs have decided to forgo building around Kevin Love and tanking. While not everyone agrees with that decision, that’s the reality that Cavs fans are in. So now the team is looking to move Kevin Love, and that means finding a way of getting the best value possible for the perennial All-Star.
So with that, let’s take a look at the best possible deals for all 29 NBA teams. Yes, not all 29 teams are going to trade for him, and fans have speculated for months which team will go after him. Yet, as we know from Detroit acquiring Blake Griffin, and Atlanta more recently acquiring Jeff Teague, clearly non-playoff teams will occasionally make big moves to bring talent in. For whatever reason. That’s why all 29 teams will be evaluated, and not just contenders or those most linked to making a move for Love.
Each team will have different assets and different options to trade for but the goal of the Cavs should be threefold. At least two should be achieved in any trade, but the goal is to nail all three. The goals for each trade are as follows:
- Reduce the money or years of Love’s deal
- Acquire draft picks in the first round
- Acquire young talent who can be built around.
We’re going to use the NBA Trade Machine to make sure the trades are able to go through. Draft picks will be included, but due to how often picks are traded, and who owns whose picks in a given year, we won’t always specify years of the pick. That said, any protections will be included.
Let’s begin.
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+
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+
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-
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Denver Gets: F Kevin Love, G Kevin Porter Jr.
Cleveland Gets: PF Paul Millsap, F Michael Porter Jr., C Bol Bol
This seems very likely. Kevin Love is an upgrade at PF and with Nikola Jokic’s passing, he could really utilize his ability to stretch the court. Michael Porter and Bol Bol are the centerpieces and should be inserted into the rotation immediately. Paul Millsap has a player option and could use it but with him being closer to 40 than 30, and wanting a title, it’s entirely possible he’d forgo the last year of his deal.
Trade Grade: A-
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: C Gorgui Dieng, SG Jarrett Culver, SG Josh Okogie
If this trade were to happen then everyone in the world would laugh out loud for a long period of time. Kevin Love though offers up a lot to the team. He and Karl-Anthony Towns would dominate down low with their ability to stretch the court. That would help out Andrew Wiggins score more, but now that Jeff Teague got traded, there’s no point guard to run the court, meaning this move isn’t the most likely.
Trade Grade: C-
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F Danilo Gallinari, G Andre Robertson, one unprotected first-round draft pick
The Cavs really make out great here. They get a first-round pick and oodles of cap space (nearly $34 million) for the next off-season. The first-round pick can be really any of them that the Thunder has over the next two years. Kevin Love also fits really well in OKC, being more physical than Danilo Gallinari and a better rebounder. He’d fit alongside Steven Adams much better as well.
Trade Grade: B-
Portland Trailblazers
Portland Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: C Hassan Whiteside, SF Nazir Little, F Zach Collins, 2020 unprotected first-round draft pick
This might be the least appealing of all the draft trades that could actually happen. Nazir Little doesn’t have the skillset to build around (at least not yet), Zach Collins has yet to hit his potential and Hassan Whiteside can’t really catch on anywhere because of his attitude issues. Right now the pick could be in the top ten with how bad the team has become overnight. Worst case scenario it’s in the early 20s.
Trade Grade: C-
Utah Jazz
Utah Gets: F Kevin Love, PG Matthew Dellavedova
Cleveland Gets: PG Mike Conley, SF Georges Niang, two first-round picks (2020, future first unprotected)
Kevin Love could fit really well into the Jazz’s offense, but may not be the defensive player needed to run with this team. Mike Conley has shown to be a disaster in Utah and could be bought out next year, making him a half-season rental. Sending Matthew Dellavedova overfills the loss of Conley. The Jazz proved they don’t need Conley and the offensive output of Love would make them truly dangerous scoring-wise.
Trade Grade: C
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
Golden State Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: G D’Angelo Russell, F Glenn Robinson III, 2021 or later unprotected first-round draft pick
Kevin Love in Golden State? Blaspheme, also because this deal sucks. D’Angelo Russell isn’t the guy everyone thinks he is, and he offers no long-term value for the Cavs. The only value he’d have is in a three-team deal or flipped in the offseason for more picks. Robinson is here only to make the money work. Love, however, would be a great fit in Golden State and would really benefit from a healthy Steph Curry’s return to the lineup.
Trade Grade: D+
Los Angeles Clippers
LA Gets: F Kevin Love, G Kevin Porter Jr.
Cleveland Gets: SF Maurice Harkless, C Ivica Zubac, G Jerome Robinson, G Landry Shamet, F Patrick Patterson
This trade theory just made me very very excited. Yes, no draft picks, but Ivica Zubac, Jerome Robinson and Landry Shamet? That’s a great haul in return. Even if it’s just Zubac and Shamet that pan out. Patterson and Harkless get waved to make room, and the Clippers get back a potential future starter in Kevin Porter Jr, as well Kevin Love. Imagine that lineup? Patrick Beverly, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Kevin Love, and a center picked up from the waiver wire? That’s dominant.
Trade Grade: A-
Los Angeles Lakers
LA Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: SG Danny Green, SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, PG Alex Caruso, two first-round draft picks.
Getting Kyle Kuzma back in this deal would be fantastic but I feel like that’s a bit too much in one deal. It’s either Kuzma or the two first rounder’s and frankly, I don’t see the Lakers giving up Kuzma another stretch four. Anthony Davis has shown to be able to play with other big men, so the move would allow Love to settle in nicely with the Lakers.
Trade Grade: C-
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F Mikel Bridges, SG Tyler Johnson, unprotected first-round draft pick.
For some reason, this trade destination is popular for people to assume Kevin Love will land. They have some young assets but nothing to write home about other than potential. The first-round pick is the key to the trade. Kevin Love would waste away in Phoenix, however, as they’re no closer to competing this year or next, as they were five years ago.
Trade Grade:C+
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: SG/SF Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG Kent Bazemore, one unprotected first-round draft pick
Getting and re-signing Bogdan Bogdanovic alone might make this trade worth it, tack on a first-rounder while you’re at it? That’s a pretty solid haul for Kevin Love. Would Sacramento make the move? They’re only five games out of 8th and maybe Love could be the final piece to the puzzle for their turnaround.
Trade Grade: B-
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: Courtney Lee, Delon Wright, Jalen Brunson, one first-round draft pick
This move makes very little sense for Dallas, admittedly. Another stretch-four? That’s bad booking. Kevin Love though could come off the bench, or maybe they run with three forwards and no true center and play Love next to Kristap Porzingis. That will allow star Luka Doncic another option to pass to. Courtney Lee won’t be on the Cavs roster next season and Delon Wright will be shipped. Jalen Brunson and the first-rounder are the keys to this deal.
Trade Grade: B-
Houston Rockets (Off-Season Trade)
Houston Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Cavs: F P.J. Tucker, Danuel House Jr., Eric Gordon, two first-round draft picks
This trade can only be made in the offseason. The only other option is to trade Clint Capela to Cleveland, and that seems unlikely that the Rockets would give up their best defensive player for another offensive scorer. Would the Cavs hold off until the off-season? Sure, if this is the best offer on the table. As Eric Gordon is unable to be traded until the end of February, a mid-season trade can’t be done.
Trade Grade: C+
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: G Grayson Allen, G Tyus Jones, F Andre Iguodala, 2020 lottery-protected first-round draft pick, one second-round draft pick
With the Grizzlies competing earlier than expected, a move to get a veteran might make sense. The team is looking to move Andre Iguodala, who would be waived by Cleveland, and Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen could be solid pieces going forward. The hope is that Memphis makes the playoffs, and the pick goes to Cleveland.
Trade Grade: B-
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: F/C Derrick Favors, G E’Twaun Moore, unprotected first-round draft pick
If the Pelicans want to make sure Zion Williamson’s first year in the league ends in the playoffs, this is the way to go. Only three games out, the Pelicans are within striking distance and the move would be a huge lift to the team’s offense. Getting back Lonzo Ball would be awesome, but with the number of guards already on the team, the last thing the Cavs need is more glut at the guard positions.
Trade Grade: C+
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Gets: F Kevin Love
Cleveland Gets: PG Patty Mills, F DeMarre Carroll, F Trey Lyles, F Luka Samanic, 2020 first-round draft pick.
Patty Mills would get waived and DeMarre Carroll would sit at the end of the bench for years to come. Trey Lyles and Luka Samanic may offer some potential but the first-round draft pick is the key to this trade. Kevin Love would bolster the Spurs offense and help them at least contend for the playoffs for another year.
Trade Grade: C
The 30th team – Cleveland goes all in
Let’s say that Koby Altman knows what he’s doing, and decides to not blow up the team. Instead, opting to make a few big moves to add to the team. After all, the 76ers tanked to get Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, and that’s not working out. Simmons is hamstrung in an offense where he can’t get space, and Embiid is lucky to play 50 games a year.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, however, showed the world how to rebuild while staying competitive. They added draft pieces while making a playoff-worthy roster. The team has expiring deals with talent who are capable of succeeding. That’s what the Cavs should be doing, and these are the trades that Cleveland should make.
Cleveland Cavs Trade
Cleveland Gets: G/F DeMar DeRozan, F/C LaMarcus Aldridge, G Derrick White, F Luka Samanic
San Antonio Gets: G Brandon Knight, G Matthew Dellavedova, G Dante Exum, F/C John Henson, C Ante Zizic, G Kevin Porter Jr., lottery-protected first-round draft pick
This would overhaul the entire team, and put the Cavs back into playoff contention. This trade should work without Collin Sexton or Darius Garland in the trade, as the cap relief and the first-round pick should be enough to move on from the veterans. The Cavs have enough three-point shooters that DeMar DeRozan’s lack of a three-point range won’t hurt the team too much. That would set up Garland, Sexton, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love, and LaMarcus Aldrige as your starting line, with Cedi Osman, Tristan Thompson, Derrick White, Larry Nance Jr. and Luka Samanic being your bench players.
In case no moves are made during the year and the Spurs deal isn’t on the table, the Cavs would be wise to package Collin Sexton for Bradley Beal in the off-season. This move would only be done if the Cavs decides to keep Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. Otherwise, there’s no point in bringing Beal onto a team that wouldn’t be able to utilize him.