According to NBA sources per ESPN.com, it is only a matter of time before Kevin Love is traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been negotiating a deal for the past 48 hours that could include a number of players, but the end result will be the forward headed to Cleveland to teamup with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. That will set the Cavaliers for 2014, but what about when Love becomes a free agent in 2015?
Love will be a free agent in 2015 and already announced his intentions to test the market when he can. That is what spawned the trade rumors in the first place. However, once dealt, will Love still test the market or will he agree to a contract extension immediately? According to Bob Finnan of the Cleveland News-Herald, Love still plans on testing the open market no matter who acquires him in a deal. Finnan writes that no matter what, Love does not plan on signing a deal that could terminate his free agency status next summer. That does not mean he will not re-sign with the team that trades for him, but he still wants to hit the open market.
That certainly makes a trade for the forward risky. Cleveland could make a deal giving up No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins, get Love and then lose Love in free agency next summer. They will have then given up one of the best young prospects for a one-season rental. Will the Cavaliers still risk a deal?
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers plan on offering Love a max contract once he is traded in hopes that he opts to stay put. That is not a bad deal for Love. He would get to play with James and Irving, both of whom are not headed anywhere soon, plus get the most money he is worth. However, plenty of teams are planning to make a run at Love next summer whether he is traded or not so the Cavaliers will have competition.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been planning on chasing the forward for the past year. They will have Steve Nash off the pay roll and the team will have plenty of money to spend on Love. The New York Knicks are planning the same thing along with the Boston Celtics if they also can retain Rajon Rondo. Even if Love is traded, his future is still not set.
