When LeBron James chose to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the stars he left behind was Kevin Love. In the 2017-18 NBA season, Love was easily the second biggest star for the Cavaliers and he was one of their Big 3 when Kyrie Irving was there the three previous years. With one year left on his contract, Love sees a concerning future in Cleveland and one has to wonder if he is looking at his next move as well.
How Kevin Love learned about LeBron's move
Kevin Love was asked by Sports Illustrated about the LeBron James decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Like almost everyone else, LeBron did not tell anyone -- not even his teammates -- what he was planning to do. Love said that he was on vacation with some friends when he looked down at his phone and saw the news flash across the screen.
Kevin Love had to read on the Internet that LeBron James had signed the $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was taken by surprise as he had not heard anything from his teammate about this so he said that he stepped out to make a few phone calls. He ended up sending a text message to LeBron about the news.
What did Kevin Love tell LeBron James?
Kevin Love was not angry at all about LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and let James know that he was supportive of the move.
He said that later that night, he texted LeBron, said he loved him and appreciated him and offered him good luck.
Before Love joined LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he was one of those All-Star players stuck on a bad team with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played for Minnesota from 2008-2014, where he was a three-time NBA All-Star, the NBA Most Improved Player in 2011, the rebounding leader in 2011 and the three-point shootout champion in 2012.
However, everything changed when LeBron James signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. Much like when James joined the Miami Heat and brought Chris Bosh along; when he joined Cleveland in 2014, he got them to sign Kevin Love as well. And just like when LeBron left Miami to go back to Cleveland, he left his teammates behind without a word when he left.
Kevin Love helped the Cleveland Cavaliers make it to four consecutive NBA Finals with LeBron James as a teammate. When James left the Heat, Bosh and Dwyane Wade were left without a chance to contend. With Love playing with a young core, he has less of a chance. But, at least he was courteous with James about the changes.