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Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers could part ways in the 2020-21 NBA Offseason. NBA trade rumors suggest the Cavs could look to trade him this summer, with multiple teams interested in his services.
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Love, 32, is owed roughly $32 million next season, something the Cavaliers have been looking to get rid of so that they can commit to a full rebuild after his departure; he is the last player on the team from their title-winning year.
Kevin Love's huge contract has also been a major reason Cleveland hasn't been able to move him in the past. On top of that, he had an injury-riddled 2020-21 NBA campaign and featured in just 25 games averaging close to 12 points and seven rebounds per contest.
However, his inclusion in Team USA's Olympic squad gives him a chance to recoup some of his value.
Title-contending teams will be keen to pursue the five-time All-Star, and he could flourish on a win-now team after spending three consecutive seasons without playoff basketball.
On that note, we list three teams that should consider signing Kevin Love either via trade or if he gets bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
3 Teams that could benefit from acquiring Kevin Love this summer
#3 Portland Trail Blazers
After yet another early exit from the NBA Playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers are looking to build a contending team and successfully keep Damian Lillard with the team for the next few seasons.
There have been rumors linking their talisman with a move away if they fail to acquire stars that could convince Lillard to stay with them.
Kevin Love won't be making them title challengers, but signing him will show a lot of intent for Lillard as the franchise is on the same page as him and wants to win now.
Love has plenty of playoff experience under his belt, and most of his traits could favor the Trail Blazers' style of play and even help them improve in some aspects. His size, length, rebounding, and ability to shoot the ball well from deep could be something Portland could highly benefit from.
Kevin Love is also a terrific passer of the ball and is an intelligent player overall, which could lift the playmaking pressure off Lillard. Moreover, Love has expressed his desire to play in Portland with Lillard before. He has local connections there and that makes the Trail Blazers his hometown team in the NBA.
The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly among the teams that are interested in acquiring Kevin Love this summer.
#2 Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets endured a tough 2020-21 NBA season and never really got to see what their star-studded team could do if healthy for the majority of the campaign.
The only time the big three - Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden - played for a consistent period of time together was against the Boston Celtics in the first-round series during the playoffs for five games.
The Celtics did not possess a healthy roster, though, which made it easy for the Nets to get past them without too much trouble. The Nets had a solid opportunity to test themselves against arguably one of the best sides in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks.
However, both Kyrie Irving and James Harden endured injuries at various stages in the series, which did not allow the Nets to see how they could sync against strong opposition.
Brooklyn lost the tie and saw their season come to an end after a hard-fought seven-game series. Nonetheless, they are still solid and will likely attract more veteran stars in the offseason who are looking to join a legitimate title-contending team.
As per reports, Kevin Love has listed Brooklyn as a top destination if the Cavs buy him out this offseason.
The Nets' two biggest concerns were the inability of their role players to step up in big moments and their ability to play well defensively. They struggled with both those aspects, which also played a role in their exit from the playoffs.
The Bucks used their size to dominate the rebounding battle, while the likes of Joe Harris, Bruce Brown Jr. and Landry Shamet all struggled to deliver.
Kevin Love will help them in both those aspects and could be an intriguing target, especially if the likes of Blake Griffin and Jeff Green do not re-sign with them for next season. He can offer a huge scoring threat and help them clean the boards on both ends of the floor.
#1 Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are another team in a win-now situation, especially with talisman Jimmy Butler likely playing out the last few years of his prime. They endured a first-round exit in the 2021 NBA Playoffs and are looking to add a third superstar to support Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Kevin Love will help them improve in multiple areas and will be a perfect fit for them considering he plays at the 4 as a floor-spacing big. They can continue to play a small-ball lineup with Bam Adebayo as the center, and also benefit from the veteran leadership that Love can provide the team.
As seen in the 2020-21 NBA season, multiple veteran players like Derrick Rose and Blake Griffin, who were written off over the last few years, stepped up big time, and there is reason to believe Kevin Love could flourish with a new team as well.
Along with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Miami Heat are also a team that is reportedly interested in signing the former NBA Champion this offseason.
