Has a Trade For Kevin Love Become a Pipe Dream?

Boston Celtics trade talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers surrounding Kevin Love have been on-and-off for over a year now, is a trade still possible?

The Boston Celtics are no stranger to trade rumors in recent years, especially those surrounding Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love. Almost like a troubled love affair, Kevin Love has been the Celtics’ desired power forward for the past two years. But, even when a trade seemed imminent, Boston never quite persuaded the Cavaliers into making the move.

Upon LeBron James‘ return to Cleveland in 2014, the addition of Kevin Love to finalize the Cavs ‘Big Three’ generated the heaviest expectation the Cavaliers have ever seen in their 46-year existence. Under all the pressure that comes with being a three-time NBA All-Star, Love suffered from a decrease in production on the Cavaliers – 16.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the past two seasons.

A combination of on-court body language and disagreements between teammates in the Cavs locker room led to rumors suggesting he didn’t enjoy being the third fiddle on a superstar team. Early chemistry issues between Love and the rest of the team forced LeBron to catch the infamously known ‘Twitter fingers’ and take to the internet to express his thoughts on the matter:

As a result of LeBron speaking out on the matter, his leadership and authority forced the Cavs to test the market for Love, feeling out what teams would be willing to give in return.

The Celtics were in the mist of their rebuild in 2015, searching for a veteran All-Star player that could space the floor for young slashers and inside players such as Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. With Love’s previous four-year contract expiring in 2016, granted that he opted-in for one more season, Boston would have been in perfect position to acquire the star forward in the final year of his deal.

Love opted-out of his contract in 2015 and made it clear he would re-sign with the Cavaliers that offseason. Despite reports that LeBron wasn’t going to recruit Love back to Cleveland, the Cavaliers offered him a max contract using his bird rights, worth $113 million over five years.

Although the Cavaliers’ decided to keep Love and build a stronger team in other ways. At the same time, the Boston Celtics have remained intrigued by a potential trade for the big man.

The Celtics are interested in Love for his perimeter shooting and ability to stretch the floor, two facets that are lacking in Boston’s current roster. However, the Celtics have also been reluctant, waiting for a steep decline in Love’s market value to get him at the right price – but have they missed their chance?

With the two-year extensions of big men Tyler Zeller and Amir Johnson, and the addition of Al Horford, Boston has retained valuable assets and strengthened their frontcourt depth going into next season. Unless Cleveland would be interested in any Celtics forwards in exchange for Love, his addition would make the front court too crowded.

The Celtics have entertained big names this offseason, however, the Celtics have consistently sought after Love, requiring his skillset to improve their shooting inability and be their go-to stretch-four.

The Cavaliers are still celebrating their recent NBA Championship victory. Considering this, David Griffin would be highly unlikely to blow up a title-winning squad. Although, if the Cavaliers were to move Love, the franchise would become vulnerable to criticism if they don’t have similar success the next season without him.

Even with Love’s poor play all season long for the Cavaliers, he made a lasting impression on the last defensive possession of game seven, locking up Stephen Curry to seal an NBA Championship. The Cavaliers will be looking to avoid dealing the player that put a stamp on the reigning MVP in the biggest moment of Cleveland’s basketball history.

Media-driven NBA narratives create a domino-effect in the leagues trade market, with Durant’s departure from Oklahoma City, Boston is involved in talks surrounding Russell Westbrook and fellow star, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers.

These offseason opportunities for the Celtics have distracted them in their pursuit for Love, and while a trade with Cleveland would make sense, it could be time for Boston to move on and capitalize on a trade involving other superstars.

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However, this doesn’t mean the Celtics should give up, as past seasons have shown, Love doesn’t necessarily fit in Cleveland, and if Boston can’t land another star this offseason, Love could still be the answer.