Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Cleveland Cavaliers

It definitely makes more sense for the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade Kevin Love than it does to hang on to him and his massive contract. Getting a key role player in Tim Hardaway Jr. and two draft picks over the next two years are important because this trade not only allows them to have a shot at making the playoffs this year, but for many years to come. 

The best thing the Cavs can do is continue drafting high-level, young talent, which is why these two draft picks they get are so valuable. The first-round pick in 2022 is obviously more valuable than the second-round pick in 2021, but nonetheless, both of these picks give the Cavs more opportunities to build a sustainable young core with what they have already. 

Kevin Love is now 32-years old and Cleveland is paying him over $30M a year to help them win 19 games. Maybe I am crazy but it makes zero sense for the Cavaliers to hold onto him and pay him this kind of money when they are in no position to compete at a championship-level. 

Trading away Kevin Love would escalate the Cavaliers rebuild and give them a chance to succeed sooner than later with a young core. Love was vital to Cleveland’s success over the years with LeBron James, which is why they gave him a max-contract to begin with, but at this point in his career and with the direction the Cavaliers as an organization are moving, it is best if they part ways with Kevin Love sooner than later.

This trade definitely gives the Cleveland Cavaliers plenty of options of how they want to move forward as an organization, the biggest question though is if they are content with where they are now. If they decided to trade Kevin Love, it likely would not happen until near the NBA trade deadline, giving Cleveland plenty of time to think about and weigh all of their options on the trade market.