Kevin Love expected to opt out

[Waew]

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/554447835962163201

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/554447835962163201

I read it was just to wait until the new tv deal kicked in to make more money long-term, but the Cavs season so far doesn't really give the incentive to stay either.

[Nerf DPOY]

It wasn't that long ago that the notion that he'd sign with the Lakers simply because they're the Lakers angered me. Now it's like, "Good".

[saltlover]

He's always been expected to opt out.  Theoretically he said he'd be willing to sign a 5-year extension with the Cavs before he was traded, which necessarily meant he was opting out.  This isn't really news (hence why it comes from bleacher report).

[kraidstar]

i wouldn't be surprised if love leaves, the cavs really aren't playing well. but i think love is a big part of the problem there; like irving, he plays no defense, and he doesn't make his teammates better. with lebron injured, the cavs have looked a LOT like the wolves from last year.
it might have been a blessing in disguise that we didn't land him.

[kraidstar]

"Love is unlikely to sign long term this summer because of the salary cap. He is expected to opt out of his current contract at the end of the season for cap purposes, but he might only sign a one-year deal to line up for what is expected to be a significant cap spike in the summer of 2016.
Love has said all the right things about re-signing with the Cavs this summer and the Cavs continue to insist he’s here long term. Executives around the league, however, continue to believe Love could leave Cleveland at the end of the season."
Akron Beacon Journal

[hpantazo]

It's not that impossible, Dwight Howard left the Lakers after one season there. If things continue to go sour in Cleveland I can easily see Love leaving this summer. His numbers have dropped significantly and the team is still not winning much. In some ways the weaknesses in his game are being exposed, and Lebron looks less dominant and is only going to get older.

I can see the Lakers and Knicks both making a hard run at him. It's unlikely he comes here, but wouldn't it be something if we get both Love and Marc Gasol this summer?

[LarBrd33]

It wasn't that long ago that the notion that he'd sign with the Lakers simply because they're the Lakers angered me. Now it's like, "Good".

hah... why?  He's still elite.

[hpantazo]

It's not that impossible, Dwight Howard left the Lakers after one season there. If things continue to go sour in Cleveland I can easily see Love leaving this summer. His numbers have dropped significantly and the team is still not winning much. In some ways the weaknesses in his game are being exposed, and Lebron looks less dominant and is only going to get older.

I can see the Lakers and Knicks both making a hard run at him. It's unlikely he comes here, but wouldn't it be something if we get both Love and Marc Gasol this summer?

Oh, and also, it's still Cleveland.

[Snakehead]

LeBron seems to be irritated with him at times and personally I see why.  I've been a fan of him but to me it seems like he doesn't play as hard now because he isn't getting his same shots.  Wouldn't be surprised if he did leave if things didn't go well and maybe the feeling would be mutual.  Cavs could try to bring in another guy as a FA.

[Celtics4ever]

He is  fools gold.  He doesn't play D, seems to put up better numbers when on a losing team but lordy can he rebound.   We are talking about Love here and not Sully.  I am grateful we did not get him.  He has the toughness of wet tissue.

[saltlover]

LeBron seems to be irritated with him at times and personally I see why.  I've been a fan of him but to me it seems like he doesn't play as hard now because he isn't getting his same shots.  Wouldn't be surprised if he did leave if things didn't go well and maybe the feeling would be mutual.  Cavs could try to bring in another guy as a FA.

LeBron gets irritated with a lot of people.  Love isn't playing instinctually right now, because he's having to do different things.  That can slow down your play a bit -- he also may not like it and want to leave.  I actually think that was part of Rondo's problem here.  Instinctually he looks to create shots for others, and he was suddenly playing with guys who couldn't hit the shots like he was used to.  Indecision and uncertainty is a difficult thing to combat at the highest level of professional sports -- all players go through it at some point tho.

[CFAN38]

could see Love jumping ship or LAL then Cavs left to S&T for Monroe (who I think would be a great fit).Monroe would be able to start at the 4 then move to the 5 allowing James to play the 4. His D as a center isn't great but its a lot better then loves.

[Vox_Populi]

Blake Ellington @Blake Ellington

Reporter: "Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love they are two max players, they're here."

Blatt responds quickly: "Kevin's not a max player yet."

https://twitter.com/BlakeEllington/status/554503568795787264

Jon Krawczynski @APkrawczynsk

Getting real out there in Cleveland. Spent 6 years around K-Love and I can't imagine that Blatt quote is gonna sit very well with him.

https://twitter.com/APkrawczynski/status/554505591339892736

Not sure how out of context that Blatt quote is. I doubt he's referencing their actual contracts.

[saltlover]

Blake Ellington @Blake Ellington

Reporter: "Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love they are two max players, they're here."

Blatt responds quickly: "Kevin's not a max player yet."

https://twitter.com/BlakeEllington/status/554503568795787264

Jon Krawczynski @APkrawczynsk

Getting real out there in Cleveland. Spent 6 years around K-Love and I can't imagine that Blatt quote is gonna sit very well with him.

https://twitter.com/APkrawczynski/status/554505591339892736

Not sure how out of context that Blatt quote is. I doubt he's referencing their actual contracts.

Considering Love actually is playing on a max deal for someone of his experience, and Irving's max doesn't technically start until next season, he's defninitely not speaking of contracts.