The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are at a stalemate. Both sides agreed upon a deal that would have sent Isaiah Thomas to Cleveland, in addition to Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 unprotected first-round pick, and Kyrie Irving to Boston.
Now, the Cavaliers are using Isaiah's hip injury to force the Celtics to improve their offer. Boston, however, does not look like they will budge. Their offer is more than adequate in their eyes, as they would be parting ways with an All-Star, a solid role player who can defend, and a potential first overall draft pick next year.
But, while the Celtics hold their ground, they could also look to restructure the deal and attempt to get All-Star Kevin Love
Celtics could ask for Kevin Love
Metro US stated that Danny Ainge, the Celtics' general manager and President of Basketball Operations, could look to bring up the name of Kevin Love in these messy trade talks with the Cavaliers. Ainge could use this moment of chaos as an opportunity to test the Cavs' limits. However, that would mean that Boston would have to offer another important player, or draft picks, to content Cleveland. It seems like Love will never cease to emerge as a trade option as long as he is with the Cavaliers.
The Celtics desperately need a player like Kevin Love.
They are in need of a player who can consistently rebound the ball, give them points in the paint, and also spread the floor. Love's career average in rebounds speaks for itself (11.5 rebounds per game). He is also a polished inside scorer who would help Al Horford in the paint. In addition, in the event that Kyrie Irving joined the Celtics, Love's ability to be a strong menace from the three-point line would enable Irving to drive to the basket with ease.
Love looked like he was playing his best basketball in a Cavaliers uniform last season, as he recorded his best numbers yet (19.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, 0.4 blocks per game). However, his underperformance in the crucial Games 3 and Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors set off the alarms in Cleveland yet again.
Criticism for being soft and crumbling under pressure appeared in different media. A move to Boston could revitalize his career.
Jazz also interested in Love
Love was involved in trade rumors that had him linked with a move to teams like the Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks earlier in the off-season. But the Kevin Love trade rumors are not going anywhere just yet. Apart from the Celtics' discussed interest, the Utah Jazz reportedly also would want to trade for the big man.
Real Sport indicates that the Jazz are desperately in need to trade for someone like Love who can fill in the gap left by All-Star Gordon Hayward this off-season. Players like Alec Burks and Derrick Favors, as well as a first-round pick, could be offered to the Cavaliers for Love. The Jazz are at risk of falling deep in the Western Conference, but Kevin Love could be their solution. Danni Ainge might have different plans.
