The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware there is plenty of interest in Kevin Love who is officially out for the season and preparing to potentially be a free agent this summer. Despite the trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Love still has the option of opting out of his current contract and hitting the market. With plenty of time to ponder his future, the Cavaliers are getting started early on the sales pitch process.
The Cavaliers traded two former first-round draft picks to acquire Love with the intentions that he would be the final piece to the Big 3 and held lead the team to a championship. That did not go according to plan during the 2014-15 season as Love suffered a shoulder injury in the first round against Boston, but the Cavaliers are banking on different results next year with the forward returning to the team.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers are already recruiting Love to stay put on the team for next year. Love can either opt in on the final year of his contract. He can opt out and sign a long-term deal either with the Cavaliers or elsewhere. He can also opt out, sign a one-year deal with a team and wait to get an extension when the new television deal begins and teams have more money. The Cavaliers have stated all along that Love will earn a max contract with the team, but it is not certain whether the forward has the same intentions.
The interest in Love is high. According to the New York Post, the Knicks want to sign the forward. The Los Angeles Times is reporting the Lakers want Love this season with the intentions of getting Russell Westbrook the year after and create a UCLA reunion. The Boston Celtics are also planning on being active in the Love talks.
ESPN's Brian Winderhorst reports that the injury could impact whether or not Love returns to Cleveland. It is no secret the forward had a hard time fitting in with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. There were times he clearly struggled to find his role on the team after being the star in Minnesota. James made it clear that he fully supports Love and is hopeful the forward is back for another year in Cleveland.
"For a team that finally gets together, when you have a Big Three, they got to find something," James said, via ESPN.com. "When I was in Miami, Chris Bosh was that guy at one point. So, I know why. I've seen it before, and when you've been in the position when you've had your own team and now you come and join forces. ... They started pointing fingers at anybody. They got to find somebody. And Kevin was the guy that they tried to find and tried to tear him down. The one thing about him, he's always stayed positive, I've always believed in him. I don't really get too involved in what everybody says."
The Cavaliers have a lot of contract decisions to make. James will need a new deal. Timofey Mozgov needs a contract. Tristan Thompson needs a contract. While Love might be a priority, it is unclear exactly how Cleveland will handle all of the free agency decisions.
