Kevin Love Opts Out

[Andrew]

AP source: Kevin Love opts out of contract with Cavs

Kevin Love is about to find out how much the league values him, and how much the Cavaliers want him.

The power forward opted out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent on July 1, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press. Love, who had a deal worth $16.7 million next season, informed the Cavs on Wednesday, said the person who spoke on condition because the team is not commenting on its free agency plans.

Last week, general manager David Griffin said he expected Love and superstar LeBron James to opt out of their deals and become free agents. Griffin also expects them to re-sign with the Cavs, who made it to the NBA Finals this season before losing to Golden State.

If LeBron opts out, I can't see him leaving; it'll just be to get a new deal. With Love though, there's perhaps room for more speculation.

[Sauru]

if love leaves that wiggins deal gonna look a whole lot worse

[Kevin]

I hope Cavs won't sign him. They don't need him anyways.

[Andrew]

if love leaves that wiggins deal gonna look a whole lot worse

In a way, but it was a risk worth taking. Some people seem to be writing off Wiggins a bit too quickly, but even if he does develop into a star, I'm not sure that he'd necessarily be a good compliment to LeBron, or reach his full potential playing alongside him. But yeah, if he does leave, they've got precious little to show for it.

[Bruce]

what are the odds now of LBJ opting out?

[Bruce]

if love leaves that wiggins deal gonna look a whole lot worse

In a way, but it was a risk worth taking. Some people seem to be writing off Wiggins a bit too quickly, but even if he does develop into a star, I'm not sure that he'd necessarily be a good compliment to LeBron, or reach his full potential playing alongside him. But yeah, if he does leave, they've got precious little to show for it.

It seemed to me that LBJ played a lot at the 4 position, especially in the playoffs. If the Cavs had kept Wiggins. For a quick line-up, LBJ could play 4 and Wiggins at 3. Then Thompson at 5. For a taller line-up, LBJ at 3, Thompson at 4, then Wiggins/Shumpert/Smith can share duties from 2 and 3 backup position.

[Andrew]

what are the odds now of LBJ opting out?

To negotiate a new deal? Likely. To leave? Highly unlikely; he came within a couple of wins of a championship without him.

[Bruce]

what are the odds now of LBJ opting out?

To negotiate a new deal? Likely. To leave? Highly unlikely; he came within a couple of wins of a championship without him.

Hmm, like right after the 2013-2014 season where the Heat bowed out 1-4 to the Spurs.

[Andrew]

Well, the Cavs put up more of a fight than the Heat did, despite LeBron being the last All-Star standing. Beyond that though, you also have to consider why he returned to Cleveland in the first place: the challenge of bringing a title to his hometown team (now that the pressure of winning a title period is off), and perhaps most importantly, moving his family back closer to home. The latter reason in particular makes it unlikely that he's going to suddenly go elsewhere after one season back in Cleveland.

[NovU]

Aren't players like LBJ and Jimmy Butler waiting for new CBA deal which possibly could up their paycheck?

Kevin Lover possibly wants to get on it too imho. No rush there for some big name players. They will get their paycheck, it's only matter of time.

[Andrew]

That's the popular theory, yes.

[Sauru]

if love leaves that wiggins deal gonna look a whole lot worse

In a way, but it was a risk worth taking. Some people seem to be writing off Wiggins a bit too quickly, but even if he does develop into a star, I'm not sure that he'd necessarily be a good compliment to LeBron, or reach his full potential playing alongside him. But yeah, if he does leave, they've got precious little to show for it.

It seemed to me that LBJ played a lot at the 4 position, especially in the playoffs. If the Cavs had kept Wiggins. For a quick line-up, LBJ could play 4 and Wiggins at 3. Then Thompson at 5. For a taller line-up, LBJ at 3, Thompson at 4, then Wiggins/Shumpert/Smith can share duties from 2 and 3 backup position.

i have zero doubt that wiggins would of been huge for them in the finals. i mean its not hard to improve over love since he was not even there. wiggins would of helped them a ton i think. however andrew is right, he would not have developed as well as he did offensively if he stayed in cleveland.

[air gordon]

Also factor in the cavs put together a strong 2nd half of the season with love on the bench in the 4th quarter

It would be awesome if love went back to minny.

What is the market for love? He wants to make the new max but what team will sign him only short term?

[NovU]

He's probably still a max. Bosh got max. That's the market.

[air gordon]

Current max or new max?

[NovU]

Who knows what new max is going to be. But if Butler's a new max, Kevin Love probably is one too. He's only 26.

[mp3]

There will be a lot of player signing 1 year deals this summer with the raise in salary cap next year.

As for Love i can see him leaving Cleveland, his body language with the Cavs was not a good one and i dont think he liked being the 3rd player in a "big 3"

I am glad he is heading to the open market though id love the change to have him in NY but my gut tells me that he wants LA.

[air gordon]

Whatever the new Max is, a player like butler and love is not of that worth

All it takes is one team though

If indeed a lot of players want the one year, what teams will risk the one year rental? this reminds of the Dallas mavs. They kept on striking out on fa's so they just offered short terms

[Andrew]

If all the big names are after one year or short term deals, they might collectively have enough leverage to get away with it. If a player's good enough, teams will take the chance.

It'll be interesting to see how Love handles his free agency. He obviously wanted out of Minnesota because being on a losing team was taking its toll on his patience, but as mp3 said, he didn't appear to care much for not being number one in the pecking order. That's understandable for someone who's established themselves as an All-Star and grown accustomed to being the top dog on an NBA team, but then you do have to ask, was he serious about wanting to win? Would he rather be the star on a bad or mediocre team, or sacrifice a little to be a part of one that's successful?

[bowdown]

With the rumors that Aldridge is on his way out of PDX, you think him going to CLE is a high possibility?

[air gordon]

If all the big names are after one year or short term deals, they might collectively have enough leverage to get away with it. If a player's good enough, teams will take the chance.

It'll be interesting to see how Love handles his free agency. He obviously wanted out of Minnesota because being on a losing team was taking its toll on his patience, but as mp3 said, he didn't appear to care much for not being number one in the pecking order. That's understandable for someone who's established themselves as an All-Star and grown accustomed to being the top dog on an NBA team, but then you do have to ask, was he serious about wanting to win? Would he rather be the star on a bad or mediocre team, or sacrifice a little to be a part of one that's successful?

It's possible. How many are of this " good enough" type? The butler situation is a little different since the Bulls can match. Love can go wherever he wants

[Maverick]

As for Love i can see him leaving Cleveland, his body language with the Cavs was not a good one and i dont think he liked being the 3rd player in a "big 3"

With the performance of Tristan T in the Playoffs. I think he's a lock in that starter role.

I am glad he is heading to the open market though id love the change to have him in NY but my gut tells me that he wants LA.

He's from Oregon. He might consider going to the T'Blaze.

[Maverick]

With the rumors that Aldridge is on his way out of PDX, you think him going to CLE is a high possibility?

Based on their Cap space, no. I might be wrong though.

He said he wants to go home. So, either of the Texas teams. Praying for the Mavs to get him though. He's a Dallas native. But history says NO

[mp3]

My gut is telling me he is heading to the Lakers and that would fit in with them taking Russell instead of Okafor or trading for Cousins.

[Andrew]

It's possible. How many are of this " good enough" type?

Not many. Players with a few All-Star appearances, and the cream of the crop.

Mind you, when we're talking about the best of the best, I think most teams would still take a gamble on bringing in a big star for one year. Hypothetically, I don't think teams would pass on signing a LeBron or Durant for a year, instead signing a lesser star who's willing to take a longer deal. Granted, we're talking about a select few elite players there, but I think there's a tier of players underneath them that teams would still take a chance on with a one year deal, or an option after the first year. I'd say Love's probably in that tier.

But again, if that becomes the trend among all the most appealing free agents with the new TV deal looming, teams that might otherwise err on the side of caution will throw their hat into the ring.