The Cleveland Cavaliers want to acquire a big name this offseason in order to help their chances of retaining Kyrie Irving for the long-term future. The point guard could sign a max contract this offseason, but will likely only do so if the Cavaliers make efforts to become contenders this offseason. That could include signing LeBron James in free agency, but it will not include a trade for Kevin Love.
The Cavaliers have the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, putting them at the front of the line in negotiations for Love. The Minnesota Timberwolves were interested in acquiring picks in the package for the forward and Cleveland has the best one. However, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavaliers will not be making a trade for Love that includes the top draft pick. Wojnarowski writes that the Cavaliers ended their pursuit of the forward out of fear that he would not sign a contract extension come next season and they will have sacrificed the draft pick for nothing in return.
Instead, the Cavaliers will likely use the top pick in the draft pending a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers who are still trying to put together the right package to win the team over. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Cavaliers are still trying to determine whether to select Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins No. 1 overall, noting it could simply come down to a coin flip. The front office is divided on the decision noting that some believe Parker is ready to start now, but Wiggins is the more athletic player.
Is a top a draft pick plus Irving to lure in James? That is a big long shot despite Dan Gilbert remaining very confident. The Cavaliers had wanted to build their team around Love and Irving, believing that would get James back to his hometown. However, Love's agent warned Cleveland that even if he was traded to the Cavaliers, he would still test free agency come 2015.
Right now, it appears Love is not going anywhere in the immediate future. The forward will likely stay put on draft night while the Timberwolves continue to plan out their future with Love after he made it clear that he would become a free agent in 2015 and Minnesota likely had no chance at retaining him.