NBA Trade Rumors Update & Predictions 2014: Cavaliers Should Complete Trade to Acquire Kevin Love
The Kevin Love trade madness continues. Early reports showed that there was a high possibility Love could go to the Houston Rockets or the Los Angeles Lakers. Since then, the big team on the market in the "Kevin Love sweepstakes" is the Cleveland Cavaliers.
According to multiple sources, the Cavaliers are "willing" to trade their No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love.
The Cavaliers are close to a contract agreement with Wiggins, so that will have to play out first. LeBron James and Love have contacted each other multiple times in hopes of playing with one another. Love still has two more year remaining on his contract, however the 2015-16 season has an opt-out option in his contract in which he can become a free agent. Love has already expressed his displeasure with the Timberwolves and it's obvious he wants to play elsewhere.
Not only are the Cavaliers willing to trade Wiggins, but they are also willing to trade away Anthony Bennett and a first round pick for the three time All-Star.
At a first glance, that may seem like offering too much. However, the Cavaliers have to keep James happy and Bennett hasn't shown any promise. There's also only so many touches players can get during a game. LeBron, Kyrie Irving, Wiggins, and Bennett would have to distribute shots at a possible detrimental cost to the team. Playing time might even have to decrease. The Cavaliers should do this trade so they bring in a double-double machine that is Kevin Love and make sure James is satisfied.
Last time James wasn't happy in Cleveland, he left for four years.
For Timberwolves fans and management, they initally may not like this potential trade . Love is a proven All-Star, while Wiggins, Bennett and a draft pick aren't confirmed talents yet. Regardless, the Timberwolves have to take this deal. If they don't, Love is simply going to play one more season and then walk away the following year as a free agent, while the Wolves get no value in return. What other NBA team is going to offer a first round pick and two young No. 1 overall pick players for Love, who has one year left on his contract before he can opt out?
No one else.
As good as Love has been with Timberwolves, he hasn't been valuable. In all six of Love's seasons with the Timberwolves, they missed the playoffs. Why not change things up and try something different? The Cavaliers and Timberwolves also play in separate conferences, so a trade wouldn't interfere competitively.
This isn't just a potential win-win situation for both teams, but the players could benefit exponentially as well. Bennett and Wiggins could shine in Minnesota, whereas Love could get a change of scenery in Cleveland. By Bennett and Wiggins joining the Timberwolves, their shots and minutes per game would increase a lot more than if they were to play in Cleveland.
A Wiggins, Bennett, and Ricky Rubio squad in Minnesota could be something special. A LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love combination in Cleveland would definitely be a sight to watch in Cleveland.
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