Fansided

Sometimes life isn’t fair: 5 trade destinations for Kevin Love

By John Buhler

May 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after a three-pointer during the first half against the Boston Celtics in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after a three-pointer during the first half against the Boston Celtics in game three of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) double team Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) double team Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers

East, Central

The Chicago Bulls aren’t the only Central Division rival the Cavaliers should consider making a trade with involving Love. Would trading Love to the rival Indiana Pacers in a multi-player deal for small forward Paul George be the best option for Cleveland?

Love for George straight up could happen, but George is the better all-around player. However, George will be playing on his final year of his deal with the Pacers. George hasn’t exactly been ecstatic about signing another long-term deal to stay in Indianapolis.

While his camp wouldn’t give any guarantees that George would re-sign with Cleveland or any other team that trades for him next summer, Cleveland should at least consider the trade, even if it is a one-year trial run.

The only team that George would likely guarantee signing a multi-year extension after a trade from the Pacers would be his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. However, George knows all too well that forcing a trade home only makes the Lakers worse. He can thank the Carmelo Anthony trade for giving him that great business lesson. George could just sign with the Lakers in summer 2018 anyway.

Love to the Pacers could go any number of ways. Ideally, Indiana would build its team around its new star, assuming Love is fine with staying Indianapolis long-term. The Pacers are in a state of transition and Love could at least provide them stability with a nightly double-double at the four.

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George could make Cleveland as good as it could be in the second James era to beat this juggernaut Warriors team. He is a spot-up shooter out on the wing AND plays defense. George would be a huge get for the Cavaliers, even if it is for only one year.

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