Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 impacts of Kevin Love’s extension

1. Cleveland competes with a marketable superstar

We’ve examined the implications of the fine print; how the contact could be used by the Cavaliers front office.

On the court, Love provides Cleveland with a very good, low-post threat to build around. He’s always possessed a contemporary big man game, currently with the third-most career 3-pointers (1,024) of any active NBA post player (Ryan Anderson and Dirk Nowitzki lead him).

He fits perfectly with Sexton, providing Cleveland with a reliable pick-and-roll/pop combo. He’s valuable as a corner 3-point shooter — top 10 in the league from the left corner last year — a necessity with a drive-and-kick playmaker like Sexton. He’s a great comfort for the team’s new rookie, apart from being a five-time All-Star.

Love brings the unique blend of grit and touch. It’s somewhat old school, reminiscent of someone like Cavaliers great Brad Daugherty.

Take a look at this Daugherty highlight reel. He earned bucket after bucket from offense rebounds and mid-range jumpers.

Now here’s Love showing the same versatility against Toronto in the playoffs:

Then there is the, ahem, handsome looks and confident flash off the court. As a model for Banana Republic, Love is brand-earned player in Cleveland.

After losing two of the NBA’s biggest stars in consecutive years, it’s a beneficial commodity to have.