Report: Cavs Will Look to Trade Kevin Love If LeBron James Leaves

The February roster overhaul by the Cleveland Cavaliers could pale in comparison to what might take place with the team in the upcoming offseason. That’s because one report suggests that if LeBron James leaves in free agency next month, the Cavaliers will seek to unload Kevin Love and others as they officially begin another rebuilding project.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst appeared on the network’s podcast, The Hoop Collective, and indicated that a James departure would effectively make every other current player available. Instead of a player-for-player deal, the Cavs would reportedly look for a future draft pick in return when it comes to Love:

“They start over,” Windhorst said of the Cavaliers. “They fully make Kevin Love available. I bet they would look for a first-round pick in that trade. He’s on the last year of a deal, so they don’t want to take on money.”

While Love will turn 30 in September, he is still capable of averaging a double-double. During this past regular season, he averaged 117.6 points and 9.3 rebounds, though for the second consecutive year, he missed time due to injury. Still, he remains a three-point threat, connecting at a 41.5 rate during the 2017-18 campaign.

Those injuries, which don’t include the concussion he suffered during the Eastern Conference finals, coupled with his remaining salary, could potentially make it difficult to deal him away. Next season, he’s scheduled to make $24.1 million and has a player option for just under $25.6 million for the 2019-20 season.

Of course, the issue becomes moot if the Cavaliers do-re-sign James.