Don’t expect Kevin Love to be on the move before this season’s trade deadline, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com writes in a subscriber-only mailbag. While the Cavaliers will likely peruse the trade market in search of a small forward upgrade, Love’s cap hit of nearly $29MM makes him unlikely to be dealt, according to Fedor, who points to Cedi Osman and Caris LeVert as more logical trade candidates for the team.
The Cavaliers and Love actually have mutual interest in extending their relationship beyond 2022/23, sources tell Fedor. Love will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and Fedor wouldn’t be surprised if the veteran power forward ends up re-signing with Cleveland at that point on a “more reasonable number that works for both sides.”
Here’s more from around the Central:
- The Cavaliers will be without Donovan Mitchell for a second consecutive night on Saturday due to right lower leg soreness, per Kelsey Russo of The Athletic (Twitter link). Love, who is battling low back soreness, will also miss his second straight game.
- The Bulls have no interest in acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Lakers, even if it means adding multiple draft picks, a source tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. While Cowley doesn’t explicitly say so, this report appears to be a response to the rumor about the Lakers internally discussing whether Chicago might become open to the idea of moving DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic for Westbrook and draft assets. Cowley acknowledges that the Bulls’ thinking could change before the February trade deadline, but says the focus for now is getting Lonzo Ball back and pushing for a playoff spot.
- Bucks forward Joe Ingles, who continues to work his way back from an ACL tear, has been assigned to the Wisconsin Herd for a second time for practice reps, tweets Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Jordan Nwora and rookie MarJon Beauchamp were also sent to the Herd, Nehm notes.
Bulls are not making the playoffs and Ball isn’t playing this season if ever again!
I ain’t saying trade for Westbrook but if the right player is out there with picks go for it!
The Bulls should have never signed LaVine or done a sign and trade with him because as I wrote before his knee will not age well and that Contract is going to hurt the Bulls!
Cavs: Luke Kennard and Robert Covington
Clippers: Caris LeVert, Cedi Osmam and 2 second round picks
Cavs line up (9 man rotation)
Garland Mitchell Covington Mobley Allen
Rubio Kennard Okoro KLove
RoCo is perfect as the 5th starter, really solid 3 and D player and bit of a cooling veteran presence among the young starters.
Bench remains strong, Kennard is a go to shooter for them and work really well off Rubio and KLove.
For the Clippers, LeVert is a really solid ball handler and go to scorer which I think works well with PG and Kawhi always missing games. He gives the team a scoring threat without these two. Osmam is there to make the salaries match but he’s good vibes, would link up with Zubac and would be a handy role player if needed plus you gets back some picks.
Lakers shouldnt do this trade either. Its doesnt help them in the slightest. Its at most a minor upgrade as Derozan is basically the same player Westbrook is a guard who cant spread the floor. Lakers need Big Wings who can shoot and hes not that
Uh, what? If you can’t appreciate the difference between Derozan and Westbrook, stop watching basketball. I think it’s a dumb trade from the Bulls prospective (Lakers try to dump their bad contracts on the Bulls every year), but come on man. You’re terrible at evaluating players.
First learn how to read genius. I never said Westbrook was better or close to the same player Derozan is but hes the same type of player who cant spread the floor which is not what the Lakers need. Hell Westbrook shoots better from 3 over their careers. If you watched any basketball instead of reading the postgame reports youd know this dumbazz