C&C lays out pitch for Boston Celtics to land 5x All-Star buyout target
Chowder and Champions’ Tarringo Basile-vaughan believes that 34-year-old former 5x All-Star Kevin Love — who ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports should have a buyout negotiated with the Cavaliers finalized by the All-Star break — could hold value to the Boston Celtics big man rotation.
The Celtics, of course, just landed Mike Muscala from the Thunder at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. The addition of Love would give the team a surplus of big men, with Al Horford, Robert Williams III, Muscala, Luke Kornet, and Blake Griffin all in contention for playing time.
Still, Basile-vaughan laid out his pitch for why Boston should still look to add Love before the March 1st buyout deadline to sign players who have been waived:
"“…the injury history of Williams and the age of Horford are still concerns.”“This is where Stevens could see an opportunity to add a player like Love a value. In contrast, Love could steer away from the Celtics if he doesn’t see an opportunity to get more minutes. So, if Stevens and the Celtics have interest, they would have to convince Love he would be a part of a rotation of Williams, Horford, and Love. That additional veteran presence could help put the Celtics over the top in the playoffs.”"
The Boston Celtics not among rumored teams in the Kevin Love sweepstakes
Though having Love finally wearing Boston Celtics green after having his name linked in trade rumors roughly nine years ago would be a victory in a sense, the combo big man’s best option to get more money in the offseason isn’t signing with the Cs — hence why the player and franchise have yet to be linked since buyout talks started. Teams that have been linked to Love include the Suns, Heat, and Warriors.
The latter option has long been a rumored trade destination, with a Love for Klay Thompson deal having traction before Cleveland swooped in and added Love to a championship trio with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Golden State could use another frontcourt body with the loss of James Wiseman, and if Love can get his 3-point stroke back, the Warriors could have a scarily spaced offense at all five positions in certain lineups.
Miami currently sits in the middle of the pack in the east, so adding any talent to help out Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would be helpful. Love’s biggest role available may be in South Beach. Still, the Heat don’t qualify as a serious contender this season, and may need to do some serious overhauling in the offseason to be considered one.
Finally, there’s the Suns. Of all his options, none make as much sense as Phoenix, which is filling up its roster following the depth-depleting Kevin Durant trade. The Suns are the closest franchise to a title of the three and have the most ready-made role for him with Torrey Craig currently serving as the starting power forward.