Hoops Habit
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5 NBA players you shouldn’t give up on just yet

By Luke Duffy

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 02: Tyus Jones #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 02, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 02: Tyus Jones #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 02, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

5. Kevin Love

It seems weird to start with an NBA champion, but Kevin Love‘s inclusion on this list is justified. Right now he is stranded with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is paired with a center in Andre Drummond that has the Cavs going jumbo when all those around them continue to shrink their lineups.

Casual fans have forgotten about him, and those who would like to see him as a complementary piece on a contending outfit are rightly put off by the four-year, $120 million deal which he is currently only in the first season of. That’s a lot of money for one guy, with Love set to make over $30 million in each of the next two seasons before it tails off slightly to $28 million in the last year.

But if you can look past these bloated numbers, you’ll see a 31-year-old who still has plenty to give on a basketball court. It is just not going to be for the Cavaliers, who are clearly in rebuild mode right now. This is a guy who, two years ago, was an All-Star and posted averages of 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

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This year before the games were brought to a halt? Try averages of 17.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Better basic numbers, but because James is no longer in town and the Cavaliers are going nowhere quick, these are viewed as empty stats. Which they probably are, but there is no doubt he could still do a job for another team.

Imagine if Love replaced Carmelo Anthony on the Portland Trail Blazers. Or joined Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell in Minnesota. Immediately both franchises are flirting with the idea of getting out of the first round of the playoffs. The money may be ugly but don’t sleep on Love, he still has a lot more to give in the league.