Obstacles to overcome before October: Between Innings
August 25, 2016Tramon Williams less than pleased following demotion
August 25, 2016Ever since August 23, 2014 — the day the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Kevin Love — it seems as though the All-Star power forward has been involved in trade talks to take him away from the wine and gold. While general manager David Griffin has squashed any and all trade rumors involving Love, along with the team deeming him untouchable, the rumors have continued to swirl.
For what seems like the millionth time, reports have now surfaced saying that the Cavs aren’t trading Love. If it feels weird that reporters are reporting things that aren’t happening, such is the case when folks belive what they what.
Here’s Basketball Insiders’ Steve Kyler:
No name gets mentioned more frequently in trade rumors than Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. The problem with that is neither the Cavs nor Love are looking for a change … While there are no shortage of suitors who would take on Love’s contract, sources close to the Cavs say moving him is not even remotely a consideration.
While involved in plenty of rumors throughout his two seasons in Cleveland (Fit!), Love has taken a smaller role with the team than what he was used to in his six prior seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 152 regular season games with the wine and gold (all starts), the 27-year-old has averaged 16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. Before joining the Cavaliers, Love had not played in a playoff game, but has since played in 24 (23 starts) in two seasons in The Land. In the playoffs, the power forward has averaged 14.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 38.9 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from long distance.
While he has continuously been involved in trade rumors, all of which have been shut down by the team, Love helped the wine and gold bring a major sports championship back to Cleveland for the first time since 1964 this past season. While he may have taken a smaller role with the Cavs, his ability to make shots consistently from long distance has worked wonders for this team from a spacing standpoint. Even if he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, he opens the floor for James, Irving, and the rest of the team to make easier baskets inside. While the Cavs aren’t considering trading the sharpshooter, they seem to be thrilled with the work he has put in so far this off-season, as ESPN’s Dave McMenamin pointed to in the Great Point Podcast.
If anything, the fact that Love has continued to produce on the court and get better while being involved in trade rumors virtually his whole time in Cleveland so far proves just how much the veteran wants to help the Cavs succeed even more. While the rumors most likely will continue, Love will be busy getting better while trying to help the wine and gold take down that team out west.
6 Comments
“…the Cavs say moving him is not even remotely a consideration.” = Nobody has offered us one of LBJ’s BFFs..
It’s funny. There’s a reason why rumors like these never die. The Browns recent claims that they are not looking to trade Josh Gordon was seen by some as an attempt to up the price. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/08/24/browns-may-have-planted-gordon-trade-story-to-drum-up-interest/
If a championship (with Love being a substantial contributor) didn’t extinguish these perpetual rumors, I don’t know what will. Kudos to the team for staying in front of it, but I feel like the guy can’t catch a break.
So, to unpack: “Insider” cites unsourced rumors about a trade and calls team and player for response, both of whom vehemently deny. Denial becomes “denies continuing rumors,” and since we keep hearing this rumor denied whenever an “insider” needs to feed the content monster by getting another denial there’s gotta be something there. Smoke = fire, right?
Oh there is definitely smoke
ESPN is so sad that Cleveland has good players. So so so sad.