Fansided

5 trades to get Kemba Walker the help he deserves

By Paul Centopani

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 20: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets speaks to the media after the game against the Miami Heat on October 20, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 20: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets speaks to the media after the game against the Miami Heat on October 20, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Cavaliers are bad, don’t have much hope of getting better and deep down, know the back half of Kevin Love’s contract has a huge change of becoming an albatross. Following early-season surgery, Love’s currently rehabbing his toe injury and isn’t expected back until after the New Year. That’s fine, because of Love’s extension, he can’t be traded until Jan. 23 anyway.

Love’s had a rough go and didn’t deserve most if any of the flack thrown his way the past couple of years. Maybe his destiny is to wind down his career putting up solid numbers on teams in the quiet recesses of the league. Or maybe he follows a redemption arch as the sidekick on a playoff team; he gets used correctly, fights the good fight and gains back the respect he should have had all along.

Charlotte presents the perfect landing spot, offering a combination of both scenarios.

I can definitely see the Cavaliers pulling a move similar to last year’s Clippers when they traded Blake Griffin after making him a “Clipper for life.” Both teams found themselves at a crossroads, didn’t want to lose their stars for nothing and ultimately conceded long-term and probably detrimental contracts.

Allowing Love to start anew, and build a high-low, inside-out tandem with Kemba Walker would be an exemplary crescendo to his career. The Hornets need more talent to lean on in order to bolster their standing in the NBA. Adding Love would move them up a few rungs.

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