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NBA Trade Rumors: Stars On The Trading Block

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) celebrate in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) celebrate in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Power Forward

Age: 27

2015-16 Salary: $19,689,000

Contract Expires: 2020

Slash Line: .423/.368/.798

Season Averages: 32.5 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.1 3PM

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the process of returning to championship contention under new head coach Tyronn Lue. Many have questioned how far the Cavaliers are willing to go in regards to making the necessary changes, including a tired debate over whether or not they should trade Kevin Love.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics have their eyes set on Love as a primary trade target.

"“The one scenario we’re always going to watch with [Boston] is going to be Kevin Love. And if Cleveland decides, at some point, that they’re going to move Kevin Love, no one has wanted him more than Danny Ainge. No one has the assets to put a deal together the way Boston does, or few do.”"

If any team has the assets to persuade Cleveland to trade its $113 million power forward, it’s the Celtics.

Trading Love within the conference would be a tough pill to swallow, especially when one considers that Cleveland may draw Boston come the playoffs. What Boston has at its disposal is a slew of draft picks and a number of high-quality contributors who could help Cleveland round out its rotation with players who fit Lue’s coaching mold.

Regardless of whether or not Love is traded, it appears as though the Cavaliers will be active at the trade deadline.

No trade would net as significant a return as dealing Love to a team with the trade pieces that Boston possesses.

Love hasn’t found consistency in Cleveland, but his appeal is very clear. Love is a 6’10” power forward who can control the offensive glass, operate out of the low and high posts, space the floor as a 3-point shooter, move without the ball, and contribute as a facilitator.

Offensively, there aren’t many players more dynamic than Love. If he doesn’t improve defensively, he may be traded.

Next: $17 Million Per Season