NBA teams reportedly are leaking misinformation in an effort to sabotage the Cleveland Cavaliers' season. Grantland's Bill Simmons said on the BS Report he believes teams are trying to create strife in Cleveland in hope Kevin Love or Kyrie Irving become available as a result.
At least one report has already claimed Love is seriously considering opting out of his contract and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in July. NBA fans can expect more reports like that throughout the season, according to Simmons.
Per Simmons (via Waitingfornextyear.com):
"I think another thing that's happening right now is these teams that are hoping that Kevin Love - this Cavs thing is going to be a disaster and that Kevin Love will be in play this summer. And you're seeing something that I actually predicted last week. You're going to see teams start leaking stuff that's not true - an intentional sabotage. ... I think some of these teams are going to float stuff out. Like if this Cavs situation - you know, let's say they're 16-11 and let's say it's a little rocky and you gave a couple Kyrie and Dion Waiters-type, a couple more of those moments - al these teams are going to start leaking stuff that 'it's not what Love thought.'
"This is stuff that's going to happen, and how Cleveland handles that is going to be really interested. And how Kevin Love handles it is going to be interesting. I think he'd be crazy to leave LeBron, but you know - you never know."
Simmons continued:
"This Cavs thig is different (from the Miami Heat in 2011) because you have teams - and people working for those teams - really actively rooting for this Cavs thing to not go well because it puts the following people in play: Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
"And everyone knows it. And for whatever reason, LeBron decides (GM LeBron, by the way because he is the GM of that team), 'You know what? Kyrie Irving is Steve Francis. This is a guy who can only success in basketball if he is the one succeeding; he does not approach a basketball game thinking to himself 'how can I make everyone better, he's just asking what's the best situation for me? And I don't want that.'"
Simmons named the Phoenix Suns, the San Antonio Spurs, the New York Knicks and the Lakers as teams hoping Cleveland implodes so that Love and Irving become available.
