Tomorrow night is the NBA draft, and we already got some juicy headlines heading into the NBA offseason which officially begins July 1st. One big headline this offseason is going to be the Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. He just opted out of his contract, meaning that he is going to be a free agent this summer. Here are some possible destinations for Kevin Love.
The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful teams in the NBA, have had a rich history of success during off seasons. But as of right now, they are rebuilding by adding young talent. However, Love would be great for their rebuild process. He would be the takeover player behind Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers have a lot of cap room to make sure Love is fully satisfied financially.
The Houston Rockets have two great players in Dwight Howard and James Harden and acquiring Kevin Love would make an impressive Big Three. But we all know that Big Three's don't last too long, like LeBron James in Miami. But this might be an interesting place for Kevin Love to land. Although for Houston to land Love, a sign-and-trade will have to be executed to make it work.
The Boston Celtics had plenty of interest in Kevin Love last offseason when he was available for trade. Now that Love is a free agent, why wouldn't they attempt to make another strong push? He would be a great fit in Boston since they have a lot of great young pieces in Marcus Smart, Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sullinger, and many more to compliment him. Love would step in there, becoming the player that Boston missed all of last season after trading Rajon Rondo. Boston made the playoffs without Rondo but think of the damage they could have done with a player of Kevin Love's caliber on the young roster that they had. This is the most logical place for Love to land in.
The Cavaliers acquired Love from Minnesota to team him up alongside Kyrie Irving and LeBron James. They had success late in the second half of the regular season after slumping in the first half of the season. Once they hit the playoffs in round one, Love injured his shoulder, and he never returned. But Cleveland played a lot better with Love out of the lineup during the playoffs. So this raises some eyebrows. Does Love want to come back here? This is, after all, the best spot for him to win a title since Cleveland has one of the best chances to make it back to the Finals again next season.
The Phoenix Suns are a team that is in the rebuilding process, as they took a step back when they were forced to trade Goran Dragic. However, Love could be a solid fit with this team and could bring them a step forward again. He has the chance to become the franchise player in Phoenix with nobody else around him who could hold him back. It would be all about Love in Phoenix which might be an interesting thing for the three-time All-Star. Phoenix has enough pieces to be playoff contenders the next few years.
For any of these teams, it will be worth it to get a player like Love. Boston has the best advantage in that department. They have terrific, young players to entice the seven-year veteran to join the team. Most importantly, they got boatloads of first-round picks coming up in the next few seasons. The future is bright in Bean Town.