Cavs: Kevin Love and Cleveland have officially started buyout conversations

Just two years later, The Cavs are working to buyout Kevin Love’s contract

The Kevin Love era in Cleveland is nearing the end. What has turned out to be just one of the many awful decisions made by GM Koby Altman may finally be dealt with as Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com is reporting that a buyout is on the verge of happening. Pluto was quick to note the conversations were in the early stages and it’s far from a done deal, and things could always change.

From Pluto;

"What about Love? An NBA source told me the Cavs were making progress toward a buyout for Love, who has two years and $60 million left on his contract. The source admitted it could fall apart and it’s not close to a done deal."

It’s fair to point out that things could always change but what should be pointed out is that conversations have started. Something that Altman has been seemingly hesitant to do for the last year and a half.

The Cavs signed Love to two extensions, one in 2015 and the other in 2018, which would start in 2019. The second contract was the issue, as Love signed it after LeBron James left Cleveland and right before the Cavs wholesaled their team for pennies on the dollar. Then Love started having temper tantrums on and off the court.

It’s almost like trying to rebuild around an injury-prone 30-year old was a bad idea.

The Cavs should’ve let Kevin Love walk after his first extension

The Cavs never wanted to keep Kevin Love to build around. It’s beyond clear that Koby Altman is a man who likes to hoard pieces just to trade them away later. Why get Jarrett Allen if you’re happy with Andre Drummond? Because you were never going to keep Drummond long-term, and you were going to try and flip him, which is exactly what the Cavaliers ended up trying to do.

The Cavs have been trying to trade Love since the end of the 2018-2019 season. For nearly three years, there have been absolutely no takers. So why persist? Because you re-signed him to flip him. You didn’t re-sign him so you could win with him. If you did the focus wouldn’t have been on young players who don’t fit well with Love. You also wouldn’t have fired Lue after six games that very same season and then start trading guys away just 12 games later. That’s exactly what the Cavs did in the first year of Love’s new deal; begin the rebuild.

More from Cleveland Cavaliers

• Kyle Kuzma is not a good fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers
• The Cleveland Cavaliers are rumored to be interested in trading Cedi Osman to get back in the 2023 NBA Draft
• Should the Cleveland Cavaliers go after Kristaps Porzingis?
• Would Hunter Tyson be a good get for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2023 NBA Draft?
• 3 of the most embarrassing moments in Cleveland Cavaliers history

They started a rebuild three months after Love’s second extension. You can’t even defend Altman for this. He hung an anchor around his team’s neck financially because he thought he could try and flip him. The rebuild was always coming; they gave Lue six games after LeBron James left before firing him. The rebuild was always coming. Altman was never trying to win with Love.

Like with Altman’s love of being in the Draft Lottery, Altman gambled. Altman loves to gamble. The Love extension and subsequent three years of trade attempts prove that Altman is fine taking risks.

Which wouldn’t be an issue if those risks worked out for him. Instead, they don’t and only set back the franchise. Saddling the squad with a lot of ‘potential’ and not a lot of talent.

Here’s hoping Love does get bought out, he might be a pain in the rear but getting away from Altman might be just what he needs.