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What If Kevin Love Chooses The Boston Celtics?

By Michael Dunlap

Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during warmups prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love during warmups prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics are fresh off of a season that nobody saw coming — a 40-42 record and a playoff berth would have scored you some serious cash in Las Vegas — but they’re still very intrigued about the games still being played. As it turns out, a former All-Star has his eyes on the free agent market and has Boston on his short list.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Love to Boston is a “real, legitimate possibility.” Love has a player option heading into 2015-16, but could very well opt to test the free agent market in order to secure a longer-term deal.

Wojnarowski dropped some interesting information about the way Love went to Cleveland, saying “He sort of took the trade to Cleveland without really talking about what his role would be, or discussing with [David] Blatt how he’d be used.”

As Celtics fans know, Danny Ainge has had success in the past luring big names to Beantown by leaning on the history and prestige of the franchise. He can also throw in the fact that the Celtics are an upstart team with a lot of young talent that could really use an offensive star like Love was in Minnesota. In case you’ve forgotten:

As of today, the Celtics have roughly $42 million on the books for 2015-16, with Gerald Wallace, Evan Turner, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller and Jared Sullinger filling up the frontcourt spots. While Olynyk did a serviceable job stretching the floor (34.9 percent from three), he’s not nearly the passer or rebounder that Love is.

For the year, the Celtics shot just 32.7 percent from three as a team, which landed them 27th in the league. Their leading rebounder was Jared Sullinger, with 7.6 per game. Heck, before Rajon Rondo was traded he had averaged 7.5 rebounds. A fearless 3-point shooter who is also an elite defensive rebounder is exactly what this team needs.

Now I know what some will say — that Love showed he isn’t that kind of player anymore. I’d argue that Love showed he doesn’t belong in a system where he’s second (or third) banana to anyone. He wouldn’t have to take on a role like that in Boston, which is exactly why I think this could really happen.

Let’s look at some facts. When Love was talking about wanting out of Minnesota, he mentioned wanting to play for a more accomplished franchise. Cleveland is hardly that. Yes, the allure of playing next to LeBron James is something very powerful, but Love isn’t a Mike Miller-type player who will happily root on his teammates then come in firing when his number is called.

As a matter of fact, Love is about as far away from that as possible. He doesn’t want to be a decoy — he wants to be a big part of the team and he wants a piece of the spotlight. There’s nothing wrong with that, by the way. Having a guy who demands the ball in pressure situations is something Boston fans loved about Paul Pierce.

Now as far as playing next to Olynyk after he ended Love’s playoff run, well word is Love wants no part of that apology. Still, stranger things have happened and time heals a lot of wounds so let’s hope Love isn’t that emotional that he’d let it stand in the way.

Wouldn’t a nucleus of Bradley-Smart-Thomas-Love-Olynyk be enough to push the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division? Add some savvy vets and take advantage of the draft pick stockpile that’s forming and the Celtics could be back in business much sooner than anyone thought.

Next: Who Do The Celtics Snag In Our Latest NBA Mock Draft?

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