While the Cleveland Cavaliers are in a heated battle with the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, but the real drama for the team could start in the offseason when contract talks begin. It is no secret that Kevin Love will have the chance to hit the market along with other key stars to the current roster, leaving the Cavaliers to decide who gets priority and who does not when it comes time to negotiate.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Cavaliers have a legitimate fear that Love plans on leaving this summer. The forward's tenure with the team has certainly seen its ups and downs while his chemistry with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving has appeared off at times. Love did not end the year on a high note, suffering a shoulder injury against the Boston Celtics. Wojnarowski believes that Love is heading for the market because he has not embraced being that third option like Chris Bosh did in Miami.
But none of that is going to happen now, he's out, and he won't experience any of that," Wojnarowski said, via the Dan Patrick Show. "And the only big decision he's going to be making is based on a regular season where he hasn't embraced loved that role like Chris Bosh. He's going to look at free agency, I think he's going to look at other teams. He can always opt in and go into free agency next summer where there's even a bigger pool of money. But there's a legitimate fear within the Cavs that he will just walk."
There are plenty of rumors regarding Love since the forward has not given any hints as to what he plans on doing. Love has maintained the phrase, "I plan on being a Cav" during this whole stint, but Wojnarowski believes that might not actually be the case.
With Love on the fringes, the Cavaliers must also look to the other players with questionable deals. Tristan Thompson is preparing to be a restricted free agent this summer. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported he turned down a contract offer last summer and will be seek a lot of money considering the role he is now playing with Love out.
The Cavaliers must also consider what to do with the players they acquired during the trading period. Timofey Mozgov has one year left on his contract. He has thrived in place of Anderson Varejao whose contract expires this summer. Iman Shumpert will be a restricted free agent, but is unlikely to have an offer extended to him. JR Smith has one more year left on his deal and could see a return considering the numbers he has had in 2015.
