Kevin Love (right) won an NBA title with the Cavaliers in 2016. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Love hoping Olympics lead to trade from Cavaliers?

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love was largely a non-factor during the 2020-21 NBA season when he actually played and wasn't busy generating off-the-court headlines, but he nevertheless controversially made the USA Basketball squad for the upcoming Summer Olympics ahead of deserving candidates such as Julius Randle of the New York Knicks. 

While speaking with reporters Wednesday, Love somewhat hinted he's hoping his Team USA experience could lead to him exiting Northeast Ohio following the Summer Games. 

"I do feel like on [the Cavs] or whichever team I end up on, this USA Team, this is something that I can continue to progress in the right way for anybody," he explained, according to Cleveland television station WKYC. "It doesn't matter who I'm out there with or who I'm playing with out there on the floor; I'm going to bring my style of basketball and do whatever I need to do to win." 

Coach Gregg Popovich recently declared Love won't be only a spectator or cheerleader in Tokyo. "We're going to work his a-- off the next four to five weeks and demand a lot," Popovich said of the 2016 NBA champion. "That's going to definitely get him back into the rhythm he needs to be in to continue to play. I think that's one of the big reasons he wanted to do this, so he can get himself back to who he was." 

Love's ability to return to form could land him a desired trade to a contender before training camp sessions open in September. 

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