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Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 players who likely won’t be back next season

By Holden Walter-Warner

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Kevin Love #0 talks to Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 112-106. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 04: Kevin Love #0 talks to Collin Sexton #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 112-106. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images /

Cleveland Cavaliers unlikely to return: 1. PF Kevin Love

At some point, the relationship between the Cavs and Kevin Love has to end, right? They’ll always have that championship together, but for years, there’s been evidence of a strain between the two sides.

There have been a number of incidents in recent campaigns suggesting the Team USA stalwart was no longer happy in Cleveland. Additionally, he lost his composure during a game against the Raptors in April, leading him to essentially passing the ball to the opposing team in frustration.

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Besides, Love isn’t part of this team’s rebuild. He’ll be 33 years old by the start of the next season and it doesn’t seem likely the Cavs will be contenders before his contract comes up. This past season, Love played in just 35 games, averaging 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, ranking fifth on the team in scoring average.

After the season, the front office still talked about Love as being part of the team’s future. But it’s the job of a front office to remain diplomatic out in the open while working on something behind the scenes.

There’s some suggestion that a buyout could be in the offing this offseason. There is precedent for that, as the Cavaliers managed to buy out Andre Drummond this season. But Cleveland will probably try to trade Love first.

Trading him won’t be easy. His value is not what it once was around the league. Additionally, he is owned $60 million over the next two seasons, a ludicrous amount for someone with an injury history who likely wouldn’t be a top-three option on most teams. Cleveland may have to attach a young prospect or draft pick to get rid of Love.

Nevertheless, he needs to be moved, one way or another. It should be a goal of the front office to guarantee Love has played his last game in Cleveland.

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