We suggest one trade the LA Clippers could make with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
We close out our exploration of the Central Division by suggesting one trade for the LA Clippers to make with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers are in desperate need of a rebuild. Just a few years after LeBron James helped bring the team their first title in franchise history things are looking quite different for the city of Cleveland. Gone are James, Kyrie Irving, and most of the roster that made four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. What’s left is a mismatched group of young players looking to develop and a few veterans on very large contracts with not much to play for.
We look to help Cleveland rid themselves of one of those very large contracts to help bring an All-Star caliber player with former All-NBA pedigree back to Los Angeles, where he spent one year at UCLA.
Why we suggest this trade for the LA Clippers:
Kevin Love is an upgrade on the offensive end of the floor for everything that Marcus Morris does, with the added benefit of not becoming a free agent at the end of the season. Love has three years left on his deal, which fits in perfectly with the Clippers window to win championships. He might not be the All-Star player he once was, but a return to a contender could re-awaken the former NBA Champion. Love would give the Clippers quality shooting, and can still bang in the post and rebound at a high rate when called upon. He’d provide a versatile offensive option for a team that can already throw out a lot of different looks.
Would the Cavaliers do it?
If Cleveland is looking to move Love, they could probably find a better package deal out there than Morris, Patrick Beverley, Landry Shamet, and whatever draft compensation the Clippers could offer. But if Love pushed to return to Los Angeles, the pressure could be on the Cavs to make it happen. Morris’ contract is up at the end of the season, Beverley could be flipped in another trade for additional pieces and picks, and Shamet is a promising young player that fits in with Cleveland’s developing roster. It might not be the best package on the table for Love, but it certainly wouldn’t be the worst.
Read the rest of our “One Trade with every Team” series here:
Pacific Division: Lakers, Warriors, Kings, Suns
Northwest Division: Nuggets, Jazz, Thunder, Blazers, Timberwolves
Southwest Division: Rockets, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Spurs
Atlantic Division: Raptors, Celtics, 76ers, Nets, Knicks
Central Division: Bucks, Pacers, Bulls, Pistons, Cavaliers
Southeast Division: Heat, Magic, Wizards, Hornets, Hawks