Don’t expect to see Kevin Love in a Cavaliers uniform again this season.
(Beyond that... he probably stays put, but that is not a lock.)
Cavaliers GM David Griffin spoke to the media and said not to expect Love back at all these playoffs following the dislocation of his shoulder by Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics. From Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
David Griffin says its "highly unlikely" that Kevin Love returns at any point during the playoffs.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 28, 2015
David Griffin: "We've dealt with adversity all year long ... We have a lot of grown-ass men in that locker room"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 28, 2015
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report has more details.
Source: Kevin Love's labrum tore away from the bone, and will need 4-6 weeks, minimum, to heal. If it doesn't, surgery a possibility.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) April 28, 2015
To be clear, source adds: There's virtually zero chance Love plays again this postseason, even if Cavs make the Finals.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) April 28, 2015
That leaves the Cavaliers vulnerable throughout the rest of the playoffs — without Love Cleveland’s offensive spacing suffers severely. From the Bulls (if they get past the Bucks) on teams will have weaknesses to go at. When Love was out LeBron James’ usage numbers skyrocketed this season, we can expect that again.
One other thought: This recovery makes it more likely to me Love stays put. He has questions about durability now (and did before), and while the Lakers or Celtics would still give him a max contract if he opted out, Love may opt-in, play out the final year of his contract with the Cavs then decide his future.