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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Kevin Love deals Cavaliers need to make

By Tom West

Nov 23, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after making a three-point basket in the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after making a three-point basket in the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Atlanta Hawks 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Atlanta Hawks 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Trade for Paul Millsap

Similar to the next trade which we’ll get to soon, this one is a long shot. Unlike the previous deals where other franchises get a major upgrade by adding a star like Love, looking to the Atlanta Hawks isn’t quite the same.

For this trade idea, the Cavaliers would deal Love in a straight swap for Paul Millsap — a two-time All-Star who has been playing well enough to earn that accolade again this season, despite the Hawks’ drop off from being East champions last year.

If you’ve watched Millsap play it’s not hard to see just how much he could help the Cavaliers. He’s not the distance shooter that Love is, but he can still make at least 30 percent of his threes, shoots 48 percent from 10-16 feet, and is far better at driving to the basket by taking defenders off the dribble or using his spin moves. He’s even having his best season yet, with career-highs in points (18.4), rebounds (8.8), assists (3.5), steals (1.9) and blocks (1.4) per game, not to mention a new high in PER of 23.6.

Offensive talent aside, Millsap rotates far better on defense than Love and can make a difference all over the court. He can hold his own in the paint, he can move out to the perimeter with a lot more quickness to cover threes and fours, and no power forward is better at breaking up passing lanes.

This is such an enticing possibility for the Cavs, but is it really worth it for the Hawks?

Love is a superior rebounder which is a real weakness for the Hawks, who rank a mere 29th in the NBA for rebounds per game (40.7). He’s also another go-to option in the post, which is certainly his most intriguing attribute to them seeing as their current center Al Horford becomes a free agent this summer and could be more entitled to leave as a Conference Finals appearance doesn’t look so guaranteed anymore.

The other benefit for Atlanta if they trade for Love is his contract. He’ll be signed for four more years after this season, while Millsap is only under contract for 2016-17 with a player option for 2017-18. Longterm security is always important, especially as the Hawks don’t have a realistic shot at contending against the Cavaliers this season.

While they still wouldn’t quite be on the Warriors or Spurs’ level, it’s impossible to deny how good the addition of Millsap’s versatility and defense would make the Cavaliers in the place of Love. However, unfortunately for them, it’s hard to see the Hawks accepting this deal given Millsap’s overall impact at both ends of the court. Even if Love replaces Millsap, they still have a frontcourt problem if Horford leaves that will need fixing.

Next: 1. One last shooter?

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