With Kevin Love officially on the roster for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the focus turns to how exactly to retain the forward. Love was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves because he announced his intentions to test free agency to the fullest in 2015. Now with the Cavaliers, Love will still have a chance to become a free agent next summer. Original reports of the Cleveland trade noted that Love promised to re-sign with the Cavaliers, but that might not be the actual case.
Love will still become a free agent in 2015. Despite the reports that the forward promised he would sign a contract extension once traded, the Collective Bargaining Agreement says otherwise. Jason Lloyd of Ohio.com reports that per the current CBA, players are not allowed to sign a contract extension right now after a trade. It would be "illegal" for Love to commit to a new deal now before he becomes a free agent.
Lloyd raises the point that it would be crazy for Love to commit to a contract longer than what LeBron James is signed to. Initial reports said Love had verbally agreed to a max contract extension which would be worth five years. That is also not allowed under the CBA. James is only signed for two. He could technically become a free agent again next summer sign his contract as a player option in the second year. Love will not commit to something that has him sticking around on a roster without James on it.
James has already said his intentions are to remain in Cleveland. The forward has commented numerous times about the length of his contract saying he will not be headed elsewhere. The Cavaliers would not have made that deal for Love if they did not believe he would re-sign next summer. Cleveland gave up too much young talent, including the last two No. 1 draft picks, for Love to have him walk away in a year.
The Cavaliers are prepared to open their wallets again next season. Love also has a player option worth $16.7 million for 2015. He and James could both opt in or they could opt out and sign new contracts. It is likely Love remains with Cleveland, but if for some reason he decides to bolt, every team in the league will be preparing a max contract offer with his name on it.
