Cleveland Cavaliers: Andrew Wiggins For Kevin Love A Terrible Mistake
By Robby Sabo
While LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers continue a solid march into the NBA Playoffs, the mistake that was Kevin Love cannot be overlooked.
Perhaps it was Chris Bosh who created such an regrettable situation.
When LeBron James so famously took his talents to South Beach, he played in a big three surrounded by Dwyane Wade and the aforementioned Bosh. The result of Pat Riley‘s easy work came in the form of four straight Finals appearance and, of course, two NBA championships.
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Is it possible LeBron wanted Kevin Love so bad because of the success he enjoyed with Bosh?
They’re very similar players. Both are 4s, who can occasionally play the 5; both guys are sensational shooters for big men; and both, of course, spread the floor offensively the way James prefers.
On offense the concept makes sense for James who dominates the ball and needs his clear lanes to run his team’s offense.
In the case of giving up No. 1 overall pick for Andrew Wiggins though, it makes zero sense — and the organization will forever regret the short-sighted move.
I realize Cleveland is starving. It hasn’t been since the 1964 Jim Brown-led Browns that the city has seen a major professional sports championship. I understand at 30 years old James wants to win “now,” with “later” in the back of his mind.
However, when comparing Wiggins and Love, the gap between winning “now” is so tiny compared to the gaping hole that “later” presents.
Although he resides in “Basketball Siberia” with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wiggins is on track to be the NBA Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old’s stat line includes 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. The rookie is also shooting a very OK .435 from the field.
His line isn’t anything that’ll blow you away, but considering who he’s playing with and the fact that he’s still extremely raw, LeBron has to be kicking himself for either his putting his stamp of approval on the deal or pushing for it to begin with.
It’s been highly chronicled how Love has struggled to fit into the Cavs flow all season long.
First off, he’s not a good defender. Does he always pull down rebounds to become that double-double guy we’ve been so accustomed to? Sure, but he’s an above-average rebounder at best.
The guy isn’t a gritty big man and the fact that his home (Los Angeles) remains such a possibility this offseason for him (as his opt-out could be very real), has to make Cleveland panic in the most frenzied of ways.
Could you imagine your team giving up the No. 1 overall selection for nothing?
Of course Love has been on record as saying “he doesn’t plan on opting out,” via Cleveland.com. According to many, he can’t opt out since the original trade report included him signing a five-year deal to stay in a Cavs uniform.
Crazier things have happened though, and if the man wants to leave town, he’ll find a way, for this is the NBA … where the players run the asylum.
Furthermore, if he wants to leave for his hometown in Los Angeles, how could any member or fan of the Cavaliers organization get on him after their entire LeBron campaign for his epic return was based on “coming home.”
The 26-year-old Love is currently sporting a line of 16.8 and 10.1 rebounds per game. His shooting has taken a hit with a .430 field goal percentage and he has to know he’ll always remain third fiddle behind LeBron and Kyrie Irving.
Bosh learned it more than four years ago and Love is coming to that realization now.
Where Cleveland is severely hurt in the Wiggins-for-Love move (aside from the possibility of Love taking off for home) is that Wiggins would have been the perfect guy to assume superstar status once LeBron slows down.
Think about it.
James is currently 30 years old. While admittedly he’s a freak of nature, the man will eventually slow down in a few years. Wiggins could have been that ultimate complement to Irving as the next franchise face — while LeBron would’ve remained an essential piece becoming more of facilitator and using that brilliant basketball IQ of his.
What better guy than James is there for young Wiggins to learn from? The apprenticeship would have been on.
Instead, when James now starts to slow down in three seasons the Cavs will have one giant hole to fill on the perimeter.
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Love will always remain a complimentary piece on a great team. Irving will of course assume the role of that guy, but with Wiggins the duo between swing-man and point guard could have flawlessly continued.
In that scenario a good shooting big man (to assume Love’s current position) is a whole lot easier to find than a Wiggins-type talent.
Cleveland fans have a ton to be excited about right now. Their team is flying high as the playoffs creep up on us and many believe they’re the team to beat in the East.
The only negative has to be discussed, even during these times: where does Kevin Love fit into this team? And what will the future look like in three years?
That “back of the head” thought will grow stronger every time Wiggins makes another ESPN Sportscenter Top 10.
Next: LeBron More Like MJ Or Magic?
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