Can the Cavs keep Love now? How do they counter Durant to GS?

[jpotter33]

What do you think?

Though I don't think that they can rely on the death lineup of Steph, Klay, Iggy, Durant, and Green full time or as a starting unit, they will undoubtedly use it often, which is an absolute horrible fit for Love defensively.

So can you legitimately keep Love now? Who could they trade him for to better matchup with GS? I honestly think going small with Lebron at the 4 is the best move for them now. Perhaps they try to pry Crowder or Bradley from us for Love.

[Who]

They will keep K-Love but they shouldn't. It'll cost them the Championship.

[hpantazo]

They need to add perimeter defense. Love is a poor defender as is, especially as a perimeter defender. They should absolutely trade him to shore up their defense for their battles with the Warriors, or else their cooked.

[jpotter33]

They need to add perimeter defense. Love is a poor defender as is, especially as a perimeter defender. They should absolutely trade him to shore up their defense for their battles with the Warriors, or else their cooked.

I agree. I think they should go small with Lebron at the 4 and look to add someone like Bradley, Crowder, or a two-way perimeter defender like that to their wing spot.

Honestly, a Love for Butler trade would work well for them, though I doubt Chicago would have interest in that now.

[Smokeeye123]

They can have bradley sorta reading between the lines but was he at the Durant recruitment pitch? I just get vibes that he's more about money and not really a team guy. I think he'll really help the Cavs as the ultimate 3 and D guy. He can shut down Klay for them.

[NHCelticsFan]

Bet they wish they kept Wiggins. 

[Beat LA]

Tell Thompson to work on his post moves .

[greenhead85]

Wade is available. He still has the goods. Reuniting with LeBron and playing alongside with him would place them in a much better situation. They can afford to lose "choking" Love.

[LarBrd33]

Honestly there's probably a mutually beneficial trade the Celtics and Cavs could make involving Kevin love that would give both teams a better shot at denting the evil empire, but I doubt we will see that trade given that Cleveland is misguided enough to believe they can't "break up" the champion. 

Love would give us much needed scoring.  We could give them much needed guard defense. 

[csfansince60s]

Bet they wish they kept Wiggins.

Another squandered #1 pick by the Caves...serves them well.

[jpotter33]

Honestly there's probably a mutually beneficial trade the Celtics and Cavs could make involving Kevin love that would give both teams a better shot at denting the evil empire, but I doubt we will see that trade given that Cleveland is misguided enough to believe they can't "break up" the champion. 

Love would give us much needed scoring.  We could give them much needed guard defense.

You would think. I would part with ONE of Crowder or Bradley, but not both, which is probably what they'd demand.

They're going to absolutely have to trade him, or else they're going to have to live with not playing him in the fourth against them whenever they go small. It just seems like you could maximize your space by dealing him. Hell, even something as simple as Amir and Bradley probably works better for you long-term. Or JJ and Crowder would give them a nice lineup of Kyrie, Smith, Crowder, Lebron, TT with JJ being a versatile 3 and D versatile forward off the bench. He'd be a great complement to Frye, actually.

[max215]

The Cavs have the only possible answer to the Warriors, and his name is LeBron James. It doesn't really matter what you put around him, but if you have that guy, you can NEVER be counted out.

[Moranis]

Is Durant going to guard Love or Thompson?  I don't see that working for GS either.  Match-ups work both ways.

[BitterJim]

Is Durant going to guard Love or Thompson?  I don't see that working for GS either.  Match-ups work both ways.

Thompson is not hard to guard, he's just impossible to keep off the boards.  Durant wouldn't have a hard time with him unless he suddenly learns some post moves.  Love would be an issue if he ever played inside, but he isn't allowed to.  Durant shouldn't struggle there, either

[Moranis]

Is Durant going to guard Love or Thompson?  I don't see that working for GS either.  Match-ups work both ways.

Thompson is not hard to guard, he's just impossible to keep off the boards.  Durant wouldn't have a hard time with him unless he suddenly learns some post moves.  Love would be an issue if he ever played inside, but he isn't allowed to.  Durant shouldn't struggle there, either

The Cavs absolutely work match-ups.  When Love was being guarded by smaller guys, they went to him in the post.  He was mostly guarded by Green though and that isn't really a mismatch.  Thompson is active in the post, Durant would have a struggle staying in front of him and certainly wouldn't keep him off the offensive boards.