I’ll stick by what I have said before: If I were the Cleveland Cavaliers (or Golden State Warriors or Chicago Bulls) I would demand that Kevin Love opt-in to the last year of his contract if I am going to trade all those assets for him. It’s what Chris Paul did for the Clippers (then he used that leverage for a year to get what he wanted with the organization, such as Doc Rivers). I wouldn’t want to risk a Dwight Howard situation. Sure, the max contract the Cavs could offer, plus winning while playing with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, means Love would likely re-sign, but I would want more security.
However, the rumors are out there that Love does not want to opt in — he wants to be a free agent in 2015. He wants to hear the pitches and make his choice.
Cleveland can live with that, reports Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer.Talking to some NBA executives, (Love opting-in) could be a problem. One executive explained how the best move for Love may be to come to the Cavs on the current deal -- no changes. He becomes a free agent in 2015, then signs a five-year deal for the maximum (could be more than $100 million) to stay here….
I’m hearing Love will not pick up his option -- that he would prefer to go to the Cavs on his current deal, then presumably enjoy being successful playing with LeBron James. Remember, he also has done a commercial with Kyrie Irving. He sees marketing possibilities in Cleveland -- along with a chance to win big.
I’m hearing the Cavs realize they may have to accept Love’s current deal and gamble on him enjoying playing in Cleveland and with James. Then they will try to sign him for a maximum deal in 2015. So don’t be shocked if a deal is made with his contract situation staying the same.
It will not happen until at least late August now (Andrew Wiggins cannot be traded until Aug. 23), it may not happen until closer to training camps opening, but it feels like a Love to Cleveland deal will get done. Other teams have lined up to jump in.
That’s a gamble by Cleveland. Yes, Love likely re-signs in Cleveland if he goes there, but there is a risk — Dwight Howard’s people made it sound like he would re-sign with the Lakers at first, then the season went sideways and so did Howard. If Love wants to be courted by other teams (like Howard, like Carmelo Anthony this summer) there is a risk he finds another pitch/location compelling.
But Cleveland is in the win-now, risk-taking mode with LeBron there. If LeBron wants Love, you go get him, whatever the costs and risks.