The Cleveland Cavaliers are into the eastern conference finals after LeBron James helped push the team past the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs and this comes as the team may have to deal with Kevin Love opting out in free agency this summer and if that happens, the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets could be potential targets.
The Cavaliers are into the conference finals after not making the playoffs since James left and now he has the chance to get the team into the finals again after he did it years ago. James has been playing very well over the back stretch of the playoffs and he hit the game winning shot in Game 5 to set up the clinching chance in Game 6. James has been playing at an MVP level and he has been doing it without Kevin Love in the lineup.
Love is dealing with a shoulder injury and he is out for the playoffs and he suffered it back in Game 4 against the Celtics. According to Pro Basketball Talk, some NBA execs think Love will opt out of his contract in Cleveland this offseason and if that happens, expect him to be targeted heavily by teams on the market. The Los Angeles Lakers long wanted Love when he was with the Timberwolves and both the Knicks and the Boston Celtics have money to spend.
Love is a max type player and he will get a deal if he stays in Cleveland, but he also could opt out and bring in a top deal from teams like the Lakers, Celtics or Knicks. Love averaged 16 points and nine rebounds per game this season and that came after he averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds in his final season with the Timberwolves.
Love is 26 years old and his future has been in question since he came to the Cavs, with the media reporting that he could opt out of his contract this summer. The injury could play into both sides, with Love not wanting to opt out now after dealing with an injury, while others may see it as a chance to start new somewhere else after an up and down season.
Last summer the Celtics were mentioned as a team that could go after Love and after making the playoffs, the team could try and lure him. Surely the Kelly Olynyk play doesn't help with swaying him to come to Boston, but that was basketball and Love may not hold a grudge like that. The Celtics have money to spend and after going 40-42, Brad Stevens showed that he is a strong coach and that the team has some solid young talent.
