In an appearance on Yahoo Sports Radio, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reportedthat Kevin Love intends to fully explore free agency despite his team's making the Finals without him. Transcript from the score:
“He's got options,” Wojnarowski said in a radio appearance on The Jason McIntyre Show on Yahoo Sports Radio. “He could stay another year (by not opting out) and go into free agency next year. But he's had injuries, and he might just want to sign a four-year deal somewhere else.”
Love had a smile on his face and an "NBA Finals" hat on his head after the Cavaliers' Game 4 sweep of the Hawks Tuesday, but left early, and alone, slipping out the door. However, the fact remains that his team is in the NBA Finals, and that alone means it presents the best combination of chance to win a title (with him participating) and money (the team can offer him the five year max no other team can if he opts out).
There's always the option of Love using his option not to opt out and wait for the windfall TV rights payday of 2016, but typically players pursue security the faster they can get it.
Woj mentions Boston, LA, and the Texas teams -- including specifically Houston-- as potential suitors for Love. Boston has long been in pursuit of Love, going back to his days in Minnesota. LA has seemed a natural fit based on his California connections and overall star power. The Spurs are unlikely to be interested in Love due to defensive concerns, and the Mavericks have a guy called Dirk Nowitzki they probably want to keep at power forward, even as his career winds down. Houston, however, is a logical fit. With one or two moves, they could create the space for a third max contract. It would obviously limit their ability to fit players around them, but they might take that risk for what Love provides offensively.
The Rockets also need to make the move sooner rather than later with rookie contract ends coming up for Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas. The Rockets pushed hard for Chris Bosh last offseason but were unable to land him.
Love has a tough decision. He's never really fit with the Cavaliers, with LeBron, especially with David Blatt. He was reduced to a role player this season, after being considered a top-ten player prior to that. The best thing for his career in terms of winning is to stay with Cleveland. The best thing in terms of immediate money is to stay with Cleveland. The best thing in terms of maximizing his ability as a player, which will in turn translate to more off-court revenue streams, is to leave and sign somewhere else. This isn't easy, and it's something that could dramatically shape the league in a summer that has very few league-shaping moves lined up.
Published by: CBS Sports
May 28th, 2015
Source: www.cbssports.com
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