Kevin Love expected to opt out

[celts10]

it's gonna be funny as hell if Love and Rondo come here next yr.

It could be an option!

But I see Love heading to the Lakers next season. Maybe even Luol Deng joins them, too.

[LarBrd33]

it's gonna be funny as hell if Love and Rondo come here next yr.

It could be an option!

But I see Love heading to the Lakers next season. Maybe even Luol Deng joins them, too.

Unfortunately, I don't think we'll have enough money to sign both of them.  Something like 30 mil in cap space and max contracts start at roughly 20 mil.  If we can trade Bradley, it helps.  Then maybe put together a trade package built around Wallace's expiring, draft picks and several filler contracts to add the 3rd star.

Still will be a lesser team than Kyrie + Love + LeBron, though... so I have no idea why Love would do it.

[LarBrd33]

Yoink: 

Kevin Love said Tuesday that he plans to forgo free agency in 2015 and opt into his player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

By picking up his $16.7 million option, Love would be eligible to sign a new contract just in time to tap into the expected spike in television revenue before the 2016-17 season.

"I've said all along that I plan on being a Cavalier long-term," Love said. "As we continue to evolve, my role will continue to evolve. It's still a process where I'm figuring it out.

"We'll eventually figure it out. I think for the whole team, it's not what we expected, but I think once we get back to a full lineup things will be different."

Read more at http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/236240/Kevin-Love-Plans-To-Opt-In-For-$167M-Player-Option#LLWd2ThGdPs2iObd.99

[D.o.s.]

"Well, let's be honest here," Love said, shaking his head and looking at the floor of the bottom of his Cleveland locker, which was bare save a copy of Bill Walton's guide to the Grateful Dead and a photo of Love and his former teammate Ricky Rubio arm in arm, an image notable perhaps mostly for the Bedazzled 'Besties' frame that protected it from the elements, "I haven't exactly played my best since leaving the Timberwolves, and there's no way anyone's going to pay me that much in free agency."

[celticsclay]

"Well, let's be honest here," Love said, shaking his head and looking at the floor of the bottom of his Cleveland locker, which was bare save a copy of Bill Walton's guide to the Grateful Dead and a photo of Love and his former teammate Ricky Rubio arm in arm, an image notable perhaps mostly for the Bedazzled 'Besties' frame that protected it from the elements, "I haven't exactly played my best since leaving the Timberwolves, and there's no way anyone's going to pay me that much in free agency."

lol at all of this. I think the people that are still extremely enamored with the Cavs are still focusing on the names on the jerseys and not watching the actual games they play. Love has not looked close to an all star for most of this year. He has had a few big statistical games, but his defense, if anything has regressed and his post up game seemed particularly reluctant when the Cavs needed him the most.

Here is another thing: Since Christmas the Cavs have beat two teams (Charlotte and Orlando) and lost to everyone else they have played. Love has been playing in all these games and hasn't been even able to get a win against sub 500 teams like the Heat, 76ers (gasp) and Sacramento. Most of their games have been double digit losses.

A week from now they will most likely be under .500 even with Lebron's return. This could definitely get worse before it gets better.

[Rondo9]

Love isn't leaving

You were pretty convinced that the Cavs were going to dominate the league for the next half decade when they got love. Remember that? Still think the Wiggins trade was a no-brainer for them?

I'm still not convinced they will not... despite the overreactions by everyone.  This same thing happened with the Heat when they formed their Big 3.  They've lost 7 out of 8 without the best player in the world... omg, alert the presses...

I remember after their early struggle I said something to the extent of, "Don't act surprised if the Cavs suddenly rattle off 10 in a row"... the very next day they went on an 8 game win streak.  They lost game 9 with LeBron out. 

That team is going to be extremely dangerous.  They are the favorites in the East.  And Love isn't going anywhere.  It's been established for a long time that he was going to opt out.  It's just for more money.

If Love does opt out to join the Lakers, that Love for Wiggins/Bennett deal is going to go down in history as one of the worst trades of all time.  Wiggins is a phenom prospect.

They are not favorites so far this year.