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Where will Kevin Love end up?

Formerly of the Timberwolves, Kevin Love will play for the Cavaliers against his old side (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Roar Guru
18th July, 2014
34

Let’s assume there are two realistic suitors for Kevin Love – Golden State and Cleveland. One is being asked to give up a streaky shooting guard and solid offensive power forward, and one the #1 pick in the recent draft and potentially the most explosive two-way player in the game.

In 2020.

Love is an elite player. The hit on his stats being empty can be attributed to the fact that his team were terrible and someone had to score, rebound, assist and do everything. He is not seen as a leader and has been seen as a locker room disruption. But, by any measure he is one of the best 10 players in basketball and is in his absolute prime at 25.

So which team should be throwing the kitchen sink at him? The stacked, young team with the new coach in the already powerful west? Or the team from a city that hasn’t won anything pro-sports related in 50 years and with the best player of our generation?

Well the answer isn’t easy. Let’s take a look at why.

Case for the Warriors
If you are Golden State, the idea of combining Steph Curry and Love is a dream. As a pick and pop combination they would be unlike anything we have ever seen before, and the two most talented one-way players in the game today.

Neither plays D, and neither would have to if Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut stay fit. Bogut would allow Love to chase rebounds, throw outlets and pretty much be what he is currently on defence – a sieve.

Having Love, Curry, Iguodala and Bogut with Harrison Barnes, Mareese Speights, Draymond Green, Shaun Livingston and Jordan Crawford is a title contender without a shadow of a doubt. The Warriors offer Klay Thompson, David Lee and a couple of draft picks for Love and Kevin Martin without thinking for mine.

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Case for Cleveland
If you are Cleveland, you are in a unique position. Three months ago Kyrie Irving was the face of the franchise and demanded a max contract accordingly. Unfortunately for the Cavs, if Irving is your best player you scrape into the playoffs at best.

The basketball world mocked them selecting Anthony Bennett as the #1 pick in the 2013 draft, but clearly the guy has potential (hold that thought). True, it was the most puzzling first choice in the draft since Andrea Bargnani in 2006, but at least Bennett has something that you can see could blossom.

So fast forward to 2014 and the Cavs fluke first pick again. Wait, what? There are two standouts in Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker and an injury-riddled third wheel in Joel Embiid, and the Cavs can’t go wrong. They pick Wiggins but it was the right call.

At worst he lemon images defensively and contributes offensively. If he matures and becomes a star, who knows what his limit is?

And then a giant spanner is thrown in the works. Public enemy number one LeBron James comes home. Can you unburn a jersey? Ohio sure hopes so, because the best player in the world is coming home in his peak.

Irving and a bunch of kids and role players won’t cut it as a support cast. James has made the NBA Finals four consecutive years and isn’t coming home to cruise to retirement. LeBron might have made up withDan Gilbert but unless he makes this roster into a title contender then The Letter will be the least of Gilbert’s problems.

So Love wants out of Minnesota, James wants Love to help him win a title, Minny say they want Wiggins and Cleveland say “how about Bennett, Dion Waiters and a few draft picks”. If push comes to shove this deal happens. Minnesota don’t risk losing their franchise guy without getting something back, because let’s be honest K-Love isn’t staying once his contract expires.

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The verdict
Assume there are two offers on the table for Love – Thompson and Lee or Wiggins and spare change.

The best deal for Love is Cleveland – the Cavs have two of the the best seven players and 3 of the best 15 in their prime, and will fill the gaps with savvy veterans and become title favourites immediately. Wiggins may one day be a superstar, but are you – and more importantly is LeBron – going to wait and see if that happens?

If Cleveland won’t budge, then the Golden State works just as well. The Splash Brothers might be no more but the offensive power and individual defensive skill makes the Warriors a title chance.

Kevin Love won’t even need to start play D and yet still can’t lose.

As basketball fans neither can we.

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