The most important player on each and every NBA team this season

By Ti Windisch | Aug 28, 2018

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND,OH – Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass the ball during the game against Jordan Bell #2 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Cleveland Cavaliers — Kevin Love

Kevin Love might not be the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he is definitely the present of the Cavs. After inking a huge four-year, $120 million extension to stay in Cleveland this summer, Love will be around for at least the next several months.

The decision that Koby Altman has to make about Love might be as important as the player himself is. Trading Love by the deadline would obviously be a signal that the Cavaliers are looking to tank and add some more young talent to a core featuring Cedi Osman and Collin Sexton.

Keeping Love around wouldn’t exactly signal that Cleveland expects to be competitive in the next season or two, but it would be a clear sign that the Cavs don’t want to give up all of their respectability. LeBron James leaving means The Land won’t be adding another championship banner anytime soon, but Cleveland can remain competitive with Love.

Love is still an All-Star, and will continue to be one in this Eastern Conference. He’s not enough to elevate the Cavs to contention, but he is enough to keep them involved in games when he plays. It would cost Cleveland a few draft spots to keep him around, but Osman and Sexton could really benefit from Love’s experience and leadership.

Whether he’s traded or retained beyond this season, Kevin Love is going to have a sizable impact on the post-LeBron Cleveland Cavaliers. For that reason, the last member of Cleveland’s championship caliber big three has got to be the most important player on the team.

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