Fansided

NBA free agency 2015: Top 5 signings in first week

By Matt Verderame

Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena. New York won 95-90. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Jan 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) in the first half during the NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) in the first half during the NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers and forward Kevin Love stunned plenty of folks when they announced earlier this week that Love would be back on a five-year, $110 million deal. While Love was favored to go back to Cleveland at some point in free agency, it was not expected that he would make the decision without at least taking visits with a few teams. Instead, Love was decisive.

Love was a solid player in 2014 during his debut season with the Cavaliers after being a superstar with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Throughout his six seasons in Minnesota, Love averaged a double-double each campaign from 2009-2013 before being shipped to Cleveland for first-overall pick Andrew Wiggins. Last year, Love took a reduced role and averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in 75 games.

So why is Love such a great signing at this price? Because he provides another terrific option aside from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. While a great player, Irving is a constant injury risk. James needs the help, and Love can provide that alongside Tristan Thompson, who remains a restricted free-agent. Love won’t produce like he did with the Timberwolves, but he can play the role Chris Bosh did with the Miami Heat.

The money isn’t all that large of a factor for the Cavaliers, who are in win-now mode. Cleveland will live with paying the luxury tax for a few seasons if that means ending the city-wide professional sports championship drought that has been running since 1964. Owner Dan Gilbert isn’t bothered by paying some extra dough to win, so Love is a terrific re-signing.

Next: Spurs smartly retain Leonard

Home/NBA Free Agency