Kevin Love of the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers is in a lot of NBA trade rumors last offseason. But Love says that he loves to play with the Cavs and plans to stay with the team for as long as he can.
Love is aware of those NBA trade rumors. But he says that he is just not entertaining those thoughts. Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, he said:
"They'll never be gone. That's just something that you live with. We have so much hype and media and the good and the bad surrounding this team and it just comes with the territory."
"So, I love this team, love the coaching staff, my teammates, the organization. I mean, I don't think it will ever leave but frankly, I don't really give a s---."
Kevin Love is an All-Star caliber player. He played one year for the UCLA Bruins in college and led the school to the Final Four appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament. In 2008, he decided to join the NBA Draft. Taken as the 5th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, Love was traded to Minnesota Timberwolves on that same night for 3rd overall pick O.J. Mayo.
Love played 6 great seasons with the Timberwolves. In 364 NBA regular season games with the Wolves, Love average 19.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.5 asssists. However, in the past 2 seasons with the Cavs, Love average 16.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 152 regular season games, per Basketball Reference.
Teaming up with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving seemed to have affected his involvement on offense. But despite having reduced role with the Cavs, Love played a crucial play in the Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. At the closing moments of Game 7, Love prevented a three-pointer from two-time MVP Stephen Curry, which could have tied the game.
According to CBS Sports, Love came into the training camp in incredible shape. And he is ready to defend the NBA crown with LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers' squad.
"Of course hanging a banner is huge for us and I shook all of your guys' hands at the parade, it was an amazing time," Love said, "but now it's back to work and we'll do it all over again. So, let's go to work."
Stay tuned for more news and updates on NBA trade rumors.
