Timberwolves owner says Kevin Love will be No. 3 option on Cavaliers
By Sam Richmond
The newest member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love averaged 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Such numbers aren’t repeatable in 2014-15, considering Love is leaving a team where he was the only star to a Cavs squad that features LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
More from Cleveland Cavaliers
- NBA insider: Cavaliers should consider trading Donovan Mitchell
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams that should trade for Joel Embiid
- NBA rumors: How Donovan Mitchell could wind up on the trading block
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
But just how far of a numbers drop-off Love eventually suffers will depend on where he falls in the Cavs’ pecking order. It’s certainly fair to suggest that Love, who has achieved more success in the NBA than Irving, would be Cleveland’s No. 2 option behind James.
However, Kevin Love’s former owner with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Glen Taylor, told Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune that he thinks the big man will be the No. 3 option for Cleveland.
"“I question Kevin if this is going to be the best deal for him,” Taylor said. “I think he’ll be the third player on a team. I don’t think he’ll get a lot of credit if they do really well. I think he’ll get the blame if they don’t do well. He’ll have to learn to handle that. He’s around a couple guys who are awful good."
Irving will be handling the ball a great deal, so it’s possible the Cavs run their offense more through him (and obviously James) than they do Love.
Still, this sounds like sour grapes from an owner that just lost its best player. Taylor also took a shot at Love’s defense in the interview.
"“Now I’m not saying Kevin isn’t good. I think where he maybe got away with some stuff not playing defense on our team, I’m not sure how it’s going to work in Cleveland. I guess they will ask him to play more defense.”"
Whether Love ends up being the No. 3 option or not, it’s not the best look for Taylor to be saying these sorts of things right now.
""