5 potential ripple effects from the Kyrie Irving trade

3. Kevin Love has gone from Cavaliers’ scapegoat to Finals hero and back in his three seasons in Cleveland.

Entering his fourth season as a Cleveland Cavalier, Kevin Love cannot be shocked to see his name pop up in trade rumors. It seems like since the minute the Cavs struggled in that first season, he was the odd man out.

The only time those rumors died down was after his spectacular defense on Stephen Curry in the closing moments of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, which the Cavaliers went on to win. He then became a folk-hero to the people in Cleveland.

That did not last long as this season, his name again popped up in trade rumors. There were rumors linking Love to trades for Carmelo Anthony, Paul George and Jimmy Butler. With Kyrie Irving gone, and the Cavaliers taking a new look team into the 2017-18 season, it’s easy to see Kevin Love next up on the trading block.

Aside from his personal relationship with Isiah Thomas, it is hard to see why Love would want to enter another season with his name in rumors. This is especially true if LeBron James chooses to leave town, and Isiah Thomas follows. Love would be stuck in a situation as bad as, if not worse, than the teams he played on in Minnesota.

The issue with Love has been his value around the league does not match his on-court production. Granted that production has taken a hit playing next to James and Irving. It’s hard to remember the dominant Kevin Love in Minnesota consistently putting up 20-20 games.

Next season the Cavaliers will be loaded with former All-Stars. They may even be able to lure one or two more there before the season is over.