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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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Oct 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Trade for C.J. McCollum

This trade suggestion comes from the basketball guy, Bill Simmons. It’s an interesting one, which is why it’s placed at the end of the list. Plus, it may even be laughable at first as he points out, but it almost suits both teams.

As he suggested on episode 53 of The Bill Simmons Podcast, the Cavaliers could simply trade Kevin Love straight up for C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers (follow the link and go to around the 36 minute mark to listen to the trade talks):

"Kevin Love for C.J. McCollum straight up. No, you laugh, but it’s a great trade. The Cavs would save $18 million and $50 million on the luxury tax. Portland has $20 million in cap space. McCollum and Damian Lillard, where am I going with that? Two undersized shooters, it’s fun, but congratulations I’m the 8th seed for the next 10 years. Whereas you put McCollum on Cleveland, he’s now playing over J.R. Smith, shooting 40 percent from three, you have another shooter, you get J.R. Smith off the court because that dude cannot be on a championship team, and they’re probably better even though it’s a trade that makes no sense and Kevin Love is better than McCollum. If you’re Portland, you have to think about it."

A Love for McCollum swap is definitely an intriguing idea to entertain for the last trade suggestion here. Love is making at least $20 million for the next four years to be the third option behind LeBron and Irving. Unless new head coach Tyronn Lue suddenly places far more emphasis on Love’s post game (it’s hard to see the dynamic changing so drastically that his contract becomes worthwhile), McCollum can come in as someone who can simply play off-ball and be a far simpler fit in the offense.

He’s a dangerous shooter, averaging 20.7 points per game with a 39.2 percent stroke from three, who even shoots over 45 percent from 10-16 feet and 16-24 feet. He’s an ideal offensive compliment behind LeBron and Kyrie, but this is where the positives end.

If the Cavs are going to try to assemble a team to beat the Warriors and Spurs as their only goal is to defeat their NBA Finals opponent, McCollum doesn’t take them to a totally new level, especially with his defense.

For another team this may work, but for Cleveland who need to win now, this just doesn’t give them enough. Not to mention the fact that if they send Love elsewhere, they can definitely get more in return.

Ultimately, when looking back at these trade ideas, the Celtics deal has to be the one that the Cavaliers should pursue if they want to make a move.

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