The status of Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love hasn’t improved after missing the team’s past two games with an injured foot. One report now indicates that the plan of attack to getting Love back on the court may be simply to allow him more time to rehabilitate the injury that dates back to the preseason.
Love missed most of Cleveland's exhibition season and is still dealing with the foot issue, so an extended absence is a possibility unless the Cavaliers can determine a speedier treatment course https://t.co/Od8C4f5M0t
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 28, 2018
After playing in only one exhibition game, there appeared to be no lingering issues as Love averaged 19.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the Cavaliers’ first four games. However, one possible indicator that he wasn’t completely recovered might be seen in his shooting from the field. Overall, he connected on just 32.3 percent of his shots, and hit on just 29.2 percent of his three-point attempts.
The 30-year-old Love signed a contract extension with the Cavaliers during the offseason and was seen as the new focal point of the team’s offense following the departure of LeBron James. Despite his efforts on offense during the four games he played in, the Cavaliers dropped all four contests, including the last two at home in embarrassing fashion.
The injury continues a frustrating pattern for Love, who’s beginning his fifth season with the Cavaliers and 11th overall. His first season with the Cavs ended abruptly when he suffered a shoulder injury in the first round of the playoffs. In each of the past two seasons, Love has been selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game, only to miss the contest due to injury.
Despite Love having signed that contract extension, the Cavaliers’ 0-6 start and the subsequent dismissal of head coach Tyronn Lue on Sunday morning could change the Cavaliers’ mindset about trading the veteran.
Of course, until Love fully recovers, his trade value is diminished. If the Cavaliers do commence with a full-scale overhaul, they’ll have until early February to deal the veteran to another team.
