Once Lebron James made the decision to head over to the West Coast to join the Los Angeles Lakers, reports circulated on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ plans for Kevin Love as the organization is left in a new rebuilding process without the player synonymous with the franchise.
Love currently holds a player option for the 2019-20 season worth $25.6 million. The price, however is well warranted given the 29-year old Love’s championship and All-Star status. There will likely be plenty of teams willing to take Love off the Cavaliers’ hands, but according to Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com, Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman suggested that the Cavs won’t be looking to part ways with Love unless the price is extremely right.
“Unless they get blown away by an offer, I think they'll open the season with Love," a well-known NBA executive confirmed with Pluto. “I think he'll be more in demand during the season by the trading deadline, Kevin could have a very good year for the Cavs being the focal point of the offense. He is a talented player. He remains an excellent defensive rebounder. That also will help the younger players […] The only downside would be if Love had a major injury.”
In the 2016-17 season, Love notably missed 22 games and another 23 matches in 2017-18 after sustaining injuries. He also skipped out on games in both the 2017 and 2018 playoffs after suffering from concussions.
"Kevin is an All-Star and you don't get better by moving Kevin," Altman said during a press conference in Las Vegas. "Kevin's been incredible for us for four years and he wants to be here, and to me that's a big part for guys that are here and the guys that we're gonna acquire, is that they want to be here and be a part of this new chapter and culture that we're creating."
