Kevin Love's first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't exactly go as planned, as he wasn't as big a part of the offense as he hoped and he injured his shoulder in his first-ever playoff series. Love didn't seem all that happy in Cleveland, and the Cavaliers players didn't seem all that happy with him, so many expected him to sign elsewhere in free agency, but that didn't happen. While Love garnered plenty of interest, he never really even considered signing with another team, according to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com.
Love was acquired by the Cavaliers last offseason via trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the hope was that he, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving would form a big three that would lead to a championship. The Cavaliers made it to the finals in their first year together, but the three of them didn't mesh together like they had hoped as Love was basically turned into a spot-up shooter while James and Irving seemed to have instant chemistry.
With Love being one of the premiere free agents on the market and basically being an afterthought in Cleveland, it seemed certain that he was one and done with the Cavaliers, but he stayed and didn't really even think it was a tough choice.
"A lot of teams called, but I've never really even considered, I've been saying it the whole time, that time when you become a free agent, there's something to be said for, 'Man, I can go wherever I want, live wherever I want, be close to my family if I want.' But this was a situation where the first year is always the hardest," said Love.
Not only did Love not consider leaving Cleveland, but he also said he never took a meeting with another team or even a phone call for that matter. Love says other teams called, but the only person he wanted to talk to was Cavaliers general manager David Griffin, and they were able to make a deal very quickly. While Love could have went somewhere where he would be the focal point and put up huge numbers again, he decided to stay with the Cavaliers because he wanted the best chance possible to win and compete for championships.
Love's second season in Cleveland has gotten off to a much better start than year one, as James said he would be the focal point of the offense and Love has brought his production up. Through 22 games Love is averaging 17.8 points and 11.0 rebounds, which are second and first on the team, respectively. Love's role might change when Irving returns from injury, but for now he seems to have made the right choice as the Cavs are in first place in the Eastern Conference and look to be heavy favorites to make another run at the finals.
