1. Kevin Love
Kevin Love has become one of the more polarizing players leading up to the Feb. 7 trade deadline.
With career averages of 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game to go along with a 37.0 percent 3-point conversion rate, he’s been one of the most productive players since entering the league back in 2008.
Like Parsons, Love’s deficiencies stem from his inability to stay healthy over a prolonged period of time. He’s missed 45 games in each of the last two seasons combined and hasn’t stepped foot on the court this season since late October.
This is a guy who, at 30 years old, has played deep into June in each of the last three NBA campaigns. That adds a certain level of wear and tear most humans not named LeBron James can’t handle.
Let’s also not forget he just signed a four-year extension worth $120 million over the summer. That’s roughly 30 million a year until he’s 34. Does anyone expect his health to actually improve by then?
Admittedly, the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly don’t even see Love as a trade option. They want to keep him in town. But this is also the same team that said they’re not trying to tank this season. They currently have the worst record in the league at 10-41. Things change.
Talent-wise, Love could put quite a few teams over the top with his multi-faceted offensive game. Unfortunately, it’s everything else that makes him an undesirable asset. When you combine the injury history with the length and salary of the deal, it’s all just a giant red flag — one his talents can’t mask.