The Kevin Love Conundrum

[warren weel im]

A year ago, in cold Minnesota, this guy was putting up monster numbers.



In 6 seasons in Minnesota, his numbers are:



Currently, still rehabbing his newly repaired dislocated shoulder. Has a player option worth 16.7M. With the cap expected to rise to 67M, his new max deal could start at 20.1M, whether he opts to stay in Cleveland on a 1-yr deal, 5-yr max or sign the 4 elsewhere.

Question is, does 1 off year playing beside 2 all-stars change his status? Is he now someone who isn't considered max?

The Lakers couldn't stop drooling over him a season ago but it seems to me quite a bit of fans have soured on the idea of signing him, ironically NOW that the Lakers have cap space and NOW that he is a free agent.

The second wonder would be, if the Lakers do end up drafting Jahlil Okafor at the #2 slot, would it make the Kevin Love signing a very bad one? Neither are reputable defenders and while Love's spacing and great rebounding would benefit everyone, there isn't much rim protection going on there. If you pick Okafor, you're expecting him to be an alpha personality. Its great since this is Kobe's last year so he can send over the reins to him. But with Kevin Love, you'd have 2 alphas which neither are defensive leaders.

If Love has committed to signing, isn't it wiser to select DeAngelo Russell instead?

Opinions are welcome. Haters included.

[Dr Aki]

1. can't talk to FAs until july 1
2. draft is on june 25

therefore: if love has committed to sign here, it's tampering

that said, mitch and jimmy aren't going to try any funny business, on draft day, it's pick the other center.

come july 1 though, i still think the lakers go after the marquee guys: gasol, LMA, love, dragic, kahwi and butler

[Slava]

Good thread in time for this Zach Lowe article:

And you can build a functional defense with a weak spot on the front line. The Pacers, Grizzlies, and Bulls have stifled offenses with David West, Zach Randolph, and Carlos Boozer lurching around. Love can be better than all of those guys if he decides to start caring about defense. That he hasn’t done so yet is shameful — a black mark that gives credence to rumblings that Love is not the easiest teammate.

We have to see Love’s future before definitely declaring the Cavs made a mistake dealing Wiggins for him, though the returns one year out are not encouraging. I hope Love is hungry, and maybe even angry about how this season has gone for him. I hope he’s gearing up to prove he’s not an empty-numbers loser. Because if he is, I’m betting on the redemption of Kevin Love next season — in Cleveland, or elsewhere.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whats ... evin-love/

Personally I think if you can sign him to a 4 year max contract, you do it at all costs. He is a sure thing, a superstar who will draw top talent in free agency when the cap opens up in 2016 and you get to keep him for the duration of his absolute prime and it is very rare that a player like that changes hands at this time of his career.

[oneseven]

Because we've been hearing about for for what seems like 10 yrs, it's hard believe he's only 26... I thought he was about 30.

[One Love]

I am TORN on Love... I don't believe the July 1st crap for a minute... People talk & have an idea "where" players are going & "where" they would like to play... My preference is LMA or Monroe (Gasol is staying) & drafting Russell... That being said, if we draft a BIG, I don't see us chasing another BIG with Randle in the mix... The game has changed & we need to improve our guard play... Lakeshow baby...

[oneseven]

I don't think LA has a chance at Aldridge or Monroe. I think they'll float a call to Love if he opts out and then focus on the SF FA pool, which is deep this year, and the backup PG pool, which isn't.

[Jody Smokz]

If Love wants to come to LA you absolutely have to sign him. Nothing to be torn about. Considering the cap spike he'd be a bargain in a year. If he doesn't break out of being a pootbutt on defense you can always trade him. LA needs assets. Right now isn't really the time to consider a championship.

[Kilroy]

No conundrum... We don't need Love and Love doesn't want to play here... Let him stay and be a distraction in Cleveland.

[Pointgod]

There is no conundrum. He's staying with the team that's a championship contender even without him.
What's the sales pitch? Come to the Lakers with zero chance of winning a championship?

[cashflo]

It would be an asset and at only 26 I guess we should do it.
Okafor
Love
Randle
Kobe
Clarkson

Oh my god the horror on defense!

[DadoTheRabbet]

No conundrum... We don't need Love and Love doesn't want to play here... Let him stay and be a distraction in Cleveland.

Make that two orders of this and a side of fries, please. Thanks.

[Jedi32]

I'd rather see what Randle can do.

[One Love]

Lets let Randle play PF 28 to 32 minutes a game and take it from there boys... Clarkson developed because he got minutes... Lets see what Randle has up his sleeve... He could be in ideal stretch 4... He has lost weight and expended his range...

[kblo247]

Good thread in time for this Zach Lowe article:

And you can build a functional defense with a weak spot on the front line. The Pacers, Grizzlies, and Bulls have stifled offenses with David West, Zach Randolph, and Carlos Boozer lurching around. Love can be better than all of those guys if he decides to start caring about defense. That he hasn’t done so yet is shameful — a black mark that gives credence to rumblings that Love is not the easiest teammate.

We have to see Love’s future before definitely declaring the Cavs made a mistake dealing Wiggins for him, though the returns one year out are not encouraging. I hope Love is hungry, and maybe even angry about how this season has gone for him. I hope he’s gearing up to prove he’s not an empty-numbers loser. Because if he is, I’m betting on the redemption of Kevin Love next season — in Cleveland, or elsewhere.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/whats ... evin-love/

Personally I think if you can sign him to a 4 year max contract, you do it at all costs. He is a sure thing, a superstar who will draw top talent in free agency when the cap opens up in 2016 and you get to keep him for the duration of his absolute prime and it is very rare that a player like that changes hands at this time of his career.

Love is not now and never has been a superstar. He's never once impacted a team to win as its best or second best guy. Hell when Bron was out and he was the number 2 guy putting up Minny numbers, they were below 500 and losing which is the story of his career, empty stats and no defensive impact for his usage. He's a fine third fiddle like they made him. And yeah we probably have to max him because we suck and would have to max any comparable talent (Dragic) to come here that doesn't have issues (Rondo, Hibbert) , but he doesn't deserve it. He's not changing a game on d, in fact he's a liability. He can't be your best player or leading scorer, has never worked in terms of tangible results. And to top it all off he's fragile, always misses time, has a shoulder issue, and has bad back problems.

I would take him, but he damn sure better come attached with another dose of penicillin in rondo to offset him and his usage. He's also clearly behind Marc, Aldridge, and Deandre on the list


I would be cool with signing Tobias and Tyson, Hibbert and Rondo, maxing Marc, maxing LA, and paying Dragic and Danny Green/Carroll

[Dalakerbox]

Lakers fans still talking about Kevin Love? Why? This man is NOT a free agent and has said he's not leaving Lebron. Plus, why would he opt out when he can make so much more the following year when he is an actual FA and possibly win a championship in the process? We seem desperate talking about this man when he on numerous occasions said he is not leaving/coming to play in LA. Monroe CAN be a target. Davis and Black coming back as backup PF's is an option. Faried can be had in a trade if we really wanted him. Kevin ain't coming ever. We got a better chance at Westbrook when he's a FA but even that is a long shot after he told a fan to go back to LA with that bs after trying to talk him to signing with us during a game. And why would you even want Kevin after this http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/2/8/80 ... akers-2015

I think he would be even worse dealing with the pressure than Dwight. Let it go

[DEEP3CL]

Note to the OP...

Kevin Love ISN'T an alpha dog and NEVER will be. What he is, is a follower. Alpha dogs lead not follow.

[5ertwenty]

Love has been injured all his career. He's a tad too fragile for my liking.