Kevin Love - Miami Ground Machine

[RchfldCavRaised]

Has he done anything to imply he'd accept a diminished role?

Lloyd is reporting from a source that Cavs have initiated discussions with him about reduced role and prioritizing Allen and Mobley's growth/PT. We havent had reports of him not being open to that.

Wasnt he quoted as saying he knew he was no longer the kind of guy who can carry a franchise?

 

[adam81king]

Lloyd is reporting from a source that Cavs have initiated discussions with him about reduced role and prioritizing Allen and Mobley's growth/PT. We havent had reports of him not being open to that.

Wasnt he quoted as saying he knew he was no longer the kind of guy who can carry a franchise?

There's a lot of things he has said, then done the opposite.

I hope hes matured past that, but he hasn't exhibited very mature behavior since 2018...

 

[Randolphkeys]

Has he done anything to imply he'd accept a diminished role?

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers left with countless questions after Love withdraws from Olympics

In what Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman called a “significant offseason” for Love -- who is owed $60 million on his contract the next two seasons and has missed 116 of a possible 219 games since inking that massive deal -- it was the best way for the embattled veteran to prepare for Year 14.

www.cleveland.com

“I think I understand that probably being that number one guy, playing 35 minutes and getting 20 touches a game, is probably in my rear view,” Love said recently. “I don’t try to put a ceiling or limit on myself at all. So long as I’m feeling good, I know that I’m going to play good. I’m going to chase the game like I always have. But I do believe that if it’s asked for me to have to pivot in my career for a team to win, I’m more than I’m willing to do that.”

 

[adam81king]

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers left with countless questions after Love withdraws from Olympics

In what Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman called a “significant offseason” for Love -- who is owed $60 million on his contract the next two seasons and has missed 116 of a possible 219 games since inking that massive deal -- it was the best way for the embattled veteran to prepare for Year 14.

www.cleveland.com

“I think I understand that probably being that number one guy, playing 35 minutes and getting 20 touches a game, is probably in my rear view,” Love said recently. “I don’t try to put a ceiling or limit on myself at all. So long as I’m feeling good, I know that I’m going to play good. I’m going to chase the game like I always have. But I do believe that if it’s asked for me to have to pivot in my career for a team to win, I’m more than I’m willing to do that.”

*done, not said. He's been immature for 3yrs, so we'll see if this summer has humbled him.

 

[ShawnKempIsMyDad]

I don’t trust anything this asshole says at this point and every time I visit this thread I pray to see that he’s been traded, bought out or that he’s retired.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I agree with Keys. Kevin Love still has some rotational value if he wants to accept it. Since we are paying such a premium, it would really benefit us if Koby, Patterson and the "player-psyche-coaches" on the staff with experience whispering in Kevin's ear spent some time selling him on this new role.

Someone above joked about gravitational pull but the joke is, he really has that in respect and ability still. He's earned it from his production and experience, and we should carve a role where it benefits our kiddie core for the next 2 seasons.

Even at his compromised calf state, Kevin Love is still Ryan Anderson or Davis Bertans with a "pump fake and offensive IQ rating of 99 on 2k";

I don't really agree with that. In his current compromised calf state, both he and Team USA - despite lacking size and outside shooting -- recognized that he was of no value at all. They kept career G-League scrubs over him despite his reputation, and despite all of his experience in international play.

He's going to be of absolutely zero value in trade -- literally just a big contract with no on-court value at all --unless/until that calf heals to the point where he can then get in good basketball shape. He'll then have to demonstrate that he's able to give 15-20 minutes a game for a long enough period to convince teams that his calf is truly recovered.

I do think he already has stated that he's willing to accept a diminished role. But he's got to demonstrate he's healthy enough even for that before teams are going to give anything for him. I suppose someone with an extra roster slot might give the vet minimum for him right now in the hope he could get healthy. I'm just not sure that's even worth it from our perspective.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I don't really agree with that. In his current compromised calf state, both he and Team USA - despite lacking size and outside shooting -- recognized that he was of no value at all. They kept career G-League scrubs over him despite his reputation, and despite all of his experience in international play.

He's going to be of absolutely zero value in trade -- literally just a big contract with no on-court value at all --unless/until that calf heals to the point where he can then get in good basketball shape. He'll then have to demonstrate that he's able to give 15-20 minutes a game for a long enough period to convince teams that his calf is truly recovered.

I do think he already has stated that he's willing to accept a diminished role. But he's got to demonstrate he's healthy enough even for that before teams are going to give anything for him. I suppose someone with an extra roster slot might give the vet minimum for him right now in the hope he could get healthy. I'm just not sure that's even worth it from our perspective.

From what I can see just looking over Richfield's post and this one, people are discussing two entirely different things.

Richfield is talking about getting the most out of Love on the floor in the time he is still a Cavalier.

Q-Tip is talking about Love's trade value.

I'd suggest you are both 100% correct - Love will never have any trade value. He also has no pathway out unless he agrees to a hefty portion back to the franchise - and like Richfield I don't see the two entities coming to an agreement... therefore the best course of action is maximizing Love the bench big for at least a year.

The part every fan has power over in this situation is how you process a bad situation. If I tell you "Love is probably stuck here for at least this season" you can tear your hair out or hope for the best.

That's what you and I get control over... not the roster, but how we digest the roster.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

From what I can see just looking over Richfield's post and this one, people are discussing two entirely different things.

Richfield is talking about getting the most out of Love on the floor in the time he is still a Cavalier.

Q-Tip is talking about Love's trade value.

I'd suggest you are both 100% correct - Love will never have any trade value. He also has no pathway out unless he agrees to a hefty portion back to the franchise - and like Richfield I don't see the two entities coming to an agreement... therefore the best course of action is maximizing Love the bench big for at least a year.

The part every fan has power over in this situation is how you process a bad situation. If I tell you "Love is probably stuck here for at least this season" you can tear your hair out or hope for the best.

That's what you and I get control over... not the roster, but how we digest the roster.

Fair enough. I still think that the calf is a pretty huge hurdle at this point to him being any kind of a contributor. And it comes with the added complication of his history of back issues. Having a bum wheel is just asking to develop more problems with your back as well.

ETA: Made a poll

 

[Lee]

From what I can see just looking over Richfield's post and this one, people are discussing two entirely different things.

Richfield is talking about getting the most out of Love on the floor in the time he is still a Cavalier.

Q-Tip is talking about Love's trade value.

I'd suggest you are both 100% correct - Love will never have any trade value. He also has no pathway out unless he agrees to a hefty portion back to the franchise - and like Richfield I don't see the two entities coming to an agreement... therefore the best course of action is maximizing Love the bench big for at least a year.

The part every fan has power over in this situation is how you process a bad situation. If I tell you "Love is probably stuck here for at least this season" you can tear your hair out or hope for the best.

That's what you and I get control over... not the roster, but how we digest the roster.

But have we thought about trading Love to a modelling agency? That is where he still has value.

 

[JayP146]

But have we thought about trading Love to a modelling agency? That is where he still has value.

I think Banana Republic still retains him for that purpose. And like on the Cavs, he hasn't shown up in a while ...

 

[Randolphkeys]

Here's something I was looking over earlier in the month - Who was the third big for the teams in the lower level of the playoffs.

Just about every team had a guy like Love in a primary spot off the bench - a veteran who stretches the floor and provides rebounding and rotation to help protect the paint on drives.

I ask you to look at these primary bigs... throwing away the price tag, how easily does a declining Love fit right into what other teams are doing?

Washington - Used Deni and Robin Lopez - young stretch and passing forward and vet big man.

Boston - Jabari Parker as a stretch four and Robert Williams, again more defense.

Memphis - Brandon Clarke and Justice Winslow: really deviated from the formula with a lottery pick as 6th man, springy defender and stretches the floor.

Lakers - Montrez Harrell and Markieff Morris: Harrell more rebounding and defense with Morris in a Love role.

Portland - Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter, One vet stretching the floor and one veteran interior force.

Dallas - Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, who are similar players to Love despite being much younger.

Clippers - Ibaka and Zubac, who are far better rim protectors but provide rebounding and Ibaka stretches the floor.

Miami - Olynyk and Bjelica, two stretch bigs who have similar games to Love.

Atlanta - Gallinari and Solomon Hill, who have strong perimeter skill for their size and distance shooting despite weaker defense.

Knicks - Taj Gibson and Nerlens Noel, one veteran defender who developed into a stretch five, and one guy who switches great defensively but doesn't score.

 

[Alec]

I’m really not a fan of Kevin love as a player or a person. But you’re lying to yourself if you think this roster is too good for him to get minutes. As a decent three point shooter, he adds a necessary wrinkle to our current set of bigs. Just assume you’ll get 82 games between him and Nance.

 

[MirORich]

The biggest reason Love can not be a starter is we CAN NOT waste training camp building ant sets or portion of our offense based on his particular skillset and tendencies. That is a complete waste of time as he will always miss time multiple times during the season. So if he's still on the roster, so be it. I can envision stretches of the season where he has a positive impact off the bench, but it has to just be plug and play and in an offense not built around him in any ways.

Ideally though, I'd still rather see the buyout happen

 

[Cavatt]

Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers left with countless questions after Love withdraws from Olympics

In what Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman called a “significant offseason” for Love -- who is owed $60 million on his contract the next two seasons and has missed 116 of a possible 219 games since inking that massive deal -- it was the best way for the embattled veteran to prepare for Year 14.

www.cleveland.com

“I think I understand that probably being that number one guy, playing 35 minutes and getting 20 touches a game, is probably in my rear view,” Love said recently. “I don’t try to put a ceiling or limit on myself at all. So long as I’m feeling good, I know that I’m going to play good. I’m going to chase the game like I always have. But I do believe that if it’s asked for me to have to pivot in my career for a team to win, I’m more than I’m willing to do that.”

"if it’s asked for me to have to pivot in my career for a team to win"

Afraid he means "a" team, he didn't say my team. Uh oh

 

[2 For The Brew]

It’s really up to Kevin‘s calf and / or Kevin’s attitude. No Cleveland GM, coach or fan can do much about either which I suspect is one reason why people are (rightfully) frustrated.

I’m not really concerned about cap space until Summer 2023. Kevin’s contract won’t be with us then. I’m not kvetching over him at all, frankly. If he’s healthy enough & productive enough to get minutes, he’ll get minutes. If someone wants his contract in a deal, trade him (unlikely). If he offers to take less money for a buyout, do it. Otherwise the default plan is he‘ll be bought out after the 2022-23 trade deadline and not sooner and accept the fact he gets paid.

My own opinion is he had every incentive to perform with the Olympic team and didn’t so my expectations of him are very low. If he gives us some value, great; if not, we’ll move on without him on the floor and without him period in two years.