There’s no job security quite like the one that winning an NBA championship provides. Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love is quickly finding that out.
According to a report by Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders on Tuesday, though “there are no shortage of suitors” for the three-time All-Star, trading away Love is “is not even remotely a consideration” for the Cavs.
Love’s fit on the team has long been questioned, especially given his limitations on the defensive end. In fact, the NBA Finals matchup against Golden State didn’t really begin to shift for Cleveland until the smaller, faster Richard Jefferson supplanted Love in the rotation.
But Love’s outside stroke and effectiveness on the boards have always been valuable, if underappreciated, components of the Cavs’ success. And having just won the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it’s not like Cleveland is in any hurry to blow up their battle-tested core and throw team chemistry and continuity out the window.
This report is also consistent with what general manager David Griffin hinted at last June. While Love was a popular subject of trade rumors during the regular season, winning a NBA title tends to be the magic potion that fixes any and all perceived team troubles, so it looks like Love can relax, put his feet up, and shotgun a few more beers for now.
