We are a mere two weeks into the NBA season, and already there has been speculation about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ current core of players spending just one year together. One report from earlier this week indicated that Kevin Love will opt out of his contract at the end of the season and consider signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bill Simmons has an interesting take on that rumor and others that are sure to follow it.
In his latest BS Report podcast, Simmons said he believes NBA teams are going to be leaking bogus information all season long in an attempt to distract the Cavs.
“You’re going to see teams start leaking stuff that’s not true — an intentional sabotage,” Simmons said, as transcribed by Waiting For Next Year. “We’ve already seen one article this week. ‘Lakers feel that they have a chance to get Love next summer.’ Oh, OK. really? You do? You think Love’s going to jump to your 6-76 team? I think some of these teams are going to float stuff out.
“Like if this Cavs situation—you know, let’s say they’re 16-11 and let’s say it’s a little rocky and you have a couple Kyrie and Dion Waiters-type, a couple more of those moments — all these teams are going to start leaking stuff that ‘it’s not what Love thought.’ This is stuff that’s going to happen, and how Cleveland handles that is going to be really interesting.”
Simmons has an interesting theory. LeBron isn’t going anywhere, but Love isn’t married to Cleveland like James is. Love supposedly had a handshake agreement in place for an extension with when he was traded to the Cavs, but we know how quickly things can change. Should the Cavs have a crappy season, Love might be inclined to listen to other offers.
Simmons also noted that LeBron is basically the general manager of the team now. If the Cavs wind up turning into a disaster and he wants a player like, say, Kyrie Irving to be traded, plenty of teams would be lining up looking to make a deal.
Of course, this is all speculation and none of it would matter if the Cavs win 20 of their next 25 games. That said, Simmons makes a valid point. Trying to stir up trouble in Cleveland could only benefit the rest of the league.
