Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love is “undoubtedly” a name to watch ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, with several rival teams expressing interest in Love’s expiring contract, a league source told Hoops Wire.
Several opposing GMs told Hoops Wire via text that there is interest in Love, who has fallen out of coach J.B. Bickerstaff‘s rotation.
Trading Love, though, may not be on the Cavs’ radar, as they would have to take back salary in such a deal, sources cautioned. Also, while Love isn’t playing at the moment, there has been “zero” discussion of a potential contract buyout following the deadline, one source said.
Love, 34, is coming off a season in which he was a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year with the rising Cavs. But things have been quite different in 2022-23, as Love has played hard and been a great teammate, but not very productive when healthy.
He is averaging career-lows of 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds, shooting 39 percent from the field. One rival GM told Hoops Wire he wondered if Love is “finally breaking down after all those years of battling near the basket.”
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