NBA trade rumors: 5 trade destinations for Kevin Love

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Apr 23, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Jonas Jerebko (8) during the second half in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 103-95. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

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No team has the trading assets available that the Boston Celtics do. Love’s name was in heavy circulation during the 2016 NBA trade deadline with Boston as a possible destination. It’s no secret that Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is infatuated with what Love could do for his on-the-rise Eastern Conference team.

Boston has three first round picks in the 2016 NBA Draft: No. 3 from the Brooklyn Nets, No. 16 from the Dallas Mavericks, and their own No. 23. While Cleveland would love to have that No. 3 pick for Love, Boston would be tremendously reticent to part ways with that pick for a player seemingly on the decline.

So if Cleveland would want either No. 16 or No. 23 and a rotational player or two to make this trade work, one could see the Celtics striking up a deal with the Cavaliers for Love. One would have to believe that Kelly Olynyk would have to be in this deal since Olynyk is the guy that broke Love’s arm in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

However, Olynyk and a mid-to-late first round pick wouldn’t be enough for Cleveland to cut bait with Love. Griffin will want at least one of these four players (Avery Bradley, Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder, Jared Sullinger), Olynyk, and a 2016 first round pick for Love to join the Celtics.

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