Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is on his first super team, although until recently they haven’t been very super. Before being traded to Cleveland for developing rookie and first overall pick Andrew Wiggins, Love made the Cavaliers his top destination.
With his impending free agency approaching this summer, Love has been able to escape the questions of a marginalized role and his lowest statistical averages since his second-year in the league. He hasn’t been able to retire questions about what he plans to do at the seasons end.
According to CBS Sports writer Matt Moore and Cleveland sports blog Waiting For Next Year, Love isn’t just simply dedicated to pushing the Cavaliers to their first championship right now. He’s committed to them in the long-run. A bold statement made in an interview with ESPN radio, Love was interested in shedding light on his thought process on the season and what he plans to do in free agency.
"“Whether we lose two or three games in a row, or there’s a game where my statistical output isn’t necessarily what it should be, people are always going to talk,” said Love. “Since I was traded to Cleveland this summer, I’ve said since Day 1 that I’m a Cleveland Cavalier long term and I plan for it to be that way. I want to grow with this team. There’s a lot of guys with a lot of unique talent, one-through-fifteen, on our roster who are going to be here for a long time. If I could end all the speculation now, I would. But people are going to continue to talk no matter what. I just want to continue getting better with this team long term. I’m a Cleveland Cavalier.”"
That should put Cavaliers fans minds at ease in addition to general manager Chris Grant and owner Dan Gilbert. Although Love is currently averaging his lowest points total in five season (17.9 PPG) and his lowest rebounding totals since his rookie year (9.5 RPG), the Cavaliers aren’t willing to let Love walk.
Love’s statement “if I could end all the speculation now, I would,” refers to there being more financial incentive to become a free agent in the interest of receiving a maximum deal from the Cavs. The reason why Love seems frustrated with his inability to “end all the speculation” is wholly due to the fact that free agency begins July 1 — eight months from now.
Love wasn’t going anywhere in the first place, and as this has been his first opportunity to play with a (paper for now) contender, it’s highly unlikely he bolts for another situation. Head coach David Blatt has yet to figure out the correct roles and rotations for the entire Cavs roster.
With LeBron James positioned as the head of the team he’s more than able to coach his teammates on what to expect in the first year of a new super team. Cleveland’s not having the same woes the Miami Heat did when James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces, but the process certainly feels all too familiar.
For now Love will focus on the hardwood, just as he’s done for the majority of his career until his time to depart Minnesota came. Once summer arrives and he’s eligible for maximum years and money, it’s most likely he puts pen to paper and stays in a Cavs uniform.