Kevin Love nearing a buyout…

[radiohead]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270519/Kevin-Love-Finalizing-Buyout-With-Cavs-Heat-Expected-To-Be-Interested

He’d be a huge addition to the Heat. Should Brad be interested?

[Who]

Wow. That is strange after such a strong season last year. Big turnaround.

[Who]

Miami could be a good home for him. Some skilled size to put next to Bam Adebayo. They are short of shooters. Love could be a big help to them ... although one wonders why he wasn't able to be that for Cleveland.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I've long wanted Love on the Celtics. Adding him probably won't happen, but if it did, that could be a big signing.

[celticsclay]

It makes you think he may be cooked if a semi realistic eastern contender is buying him out. He has apparently been beaten out for minutes by Wade. Would be fun if him and Westbrook went to clippers. But I agree heat could use. Suns could also use him. I know some people say lakers but he doesn’t play over bamba, Davis, vanderbilt or Lebron in the frontcourt.

[radiohead]

It makes you think he may be cooked if a semi realistic eastern contender is buying him out. He has apparently been beaten out for minutes by Wade. Would be fun if him and Westbrook went to clippers. But I agree heat could use. Suns could also use him. I know some people say lakers but he doesn’t play over bamba, Davis, vanderbilt or Lebron in the frontcourt.

He did put up better than decent numbers when Mobley was out early in the season so I don’t think he’s cooked. Maybe he just wants to go to a “real” contender? If that’s the case then I would think Phoenix or the Clippers could be his best destinations.

[Birdman]

I say he goes out West..Lakers, Clippers, Warriors or Suns

[radiohead]

I’m really curious if Brad has plans to go after him. We’d be overloaded with bigs but surely he would be a great weapon off the bench.

[Vermont Green]

It makes you think he may be cooked if a semi realistic eastern contender is buying him out. He has apparently been beaten out for minutes by Wade. Would be fun if him and Westbrook went to clippers. But I agree heat could use. Suns could also use him. I know some people say lakers but he doesn’t play over bamba, Davis, vanderbilt or Lebron in the frontcourt.

He did put up better than decent numbers when Mobley was out early in the season so I don’t think he’s cooked. Maybe he just wants to go to a “real” contender? If that’s the case then I would think Phoenix or the Clippers could be his best destinations.

I agree with the "this is strange" part.  Why wouldn't CLE keep him if he is a useful player?  CLE is right in this.  I have not seen him play much but his shooting numbers are decent (down from his prime but decent) and his DefR and NetR are both decent.  He seems to be playing well enough to be useful.  Better than say Blake Griffin and we would never just buy out Blake.  In terms of pure box score numbers, he is not that far off of Grant Williams.

It must be that Love has asked for this and CLE out of respect, is accommodating him.  He will probably have to leave some money on the table I would think.  His contract is $29M.  I don't know where he thinks he is going to go to have a bigger role.  He is probably best case a bench player on any contender.  Maybe he thinks he can start somewhere or at least be a core rotation (top 8) player somewhere.  He has played 41 games with 20 min per.  Maybe he just wants to play every night.  He did have a DNP-CD in the game last night vs. PHI and hasn't played since 24 Jan.

[Vermont Green]

I’m really curious if Brad has plans to go after him. We’d be overloaded with bigs but surely he would be a great weapon off the bench.

Love is likely trying to get out because he is not playing regularly.  Where would you see Love in our big rotation?  Certainly behind Horford, RWill, and Grant.  If those 3 are healthy, there are not going to be that many more minutes for Muscala, Griffin, and Kornet already.  And I am not sure that Love would play ahead of any of these.  Maybe.  But most likely, Love would be nothing more than injury insurance on the Celtics, just like he is now on CLE, and he doesn't like it.

[Moranis]

Love has been completely out of Cleveland's rotation for the last month or so.  He is very useful to have in case of injury to the top guys, but my guess is he asked out to get playing time elsewhere and they are going to accommodate him for his years of service. 

The 4/5 depth chart in Cleveland is basically

Mobley, Allen
Wade
Stevens (a younger guy they like and are getting minutes to)
Love/Lopez

They also play small a fair amount with just 1 big and their plethora of wing type players and they just signed Danny Green to do that more often.

[Silas]

After watching Blake hit the floor going for a loose ball yesterday, I'm satisfied he is better for the Cs.  He doesn't seem to mind not playing much and when called on, he's helpful.  Plus, he's shooting 40% from 3 vs 35% for Love.  I never was a fan of Blake until he joined the Cs.  I like him on this team.  I don't think we need Love or would he be happy riding the bench when not needed.

[Birdman]

He wouldn’t get any minutes here unless Al or TimeLord are out for a long time

[tonydelk]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270519/Kevin-Love-Finalizing-Buyout-With-Cavs-Heat-Expected-To-Be-Interested

He’d be a huge addition to the Heat. Should Brad be interested?

This surprises me.  He's going to sign with a contender and make them better.  He's not a difference maker but the contenders that need depth he's a great addition.  I'm shocked Cleveland is doing this.  Why make your competition better unless the agreement is he has to sign with a team out west. LOL. 

[radiohead]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270519/Kevin-Love-Finalizing-Buyout-With-Cavs-Heat-Expected-To-Be-Interested

He’d be a huge addition to the Heat. Should Brad be interested?

This surprises me.  He's going to sign with a contender and make them better.  He's not a difference maker but the contenders that need depth he's a great addition.  I'm shocked Cleveland is doing this.  Why make your competition better unless the agreement is he has to sign with a team out west. LOL.

You make a very good point. Is such a clause even allowed?! Seriously though, I do hope he heads out West. We don’t need any of Miami, Milwaukee, Philly, NY to be stronger.