NBA Rumors: No Guarantee Kevin Love Stays With Cleveland Cavaliers Following Season
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Sure, we’re only a couple of weeks into the 2014-15 NBA season, but it’s never too early for a little Kevin Love speculation.
After it seemed like the All-Star forward finally found a place to call his home for the foreseeable future this past summer, word is now getting out that Love may keep his options open.
Although it was initially thought that Love would sign a long-term extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the 2014-15 season, somewhere in the neighborhood of a five-year deal, there are no guarantees it will happen. The term ‘handshake’ deal has been thrown around, and that’s basically all it amounts to. Love doesn’t have to stay in Cleveland if he doesn’t want to.
That’s where speculation from Sam Smith of Bulls.com comes in:
“It’s not going to get as much discussion during the season, but one of the biggest issues for the Cavs is that both LeBron James and Kevin Love own opt outs after this season. LeBron James basically cannot afford to go anywhere after his return to Cleveland. But watch out for Love. Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles, where he attended college and where the Lakers long have had him on their free agent wish list.”
Love will definitely be opting out, because he stands to make more money, no matter who he plays for. Years of experience and the NBA’s rising salary cap will automatically give him a salary boost, regardless of the jersey he’s wearing. At the same time, the odds of him re-upping for just one year aren’t that great.
It’s way too early to say the power forward will leave Cleveland for L.A., but it’s definitely not crazy talk. Love seems to be the third wheel in Cleveland, and we all know that he’s a California guy.
If this new Big Three experiment in Cleveland fails, don’t be surprised to see Love-to-the-Lakers rumors heat up once again.
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