Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love's decision whether to sign a long-term contract elsewhere in free agency reportedly will come down to if he feels he's an integral part of the team. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler believes Love not being a meaningful part of the team, as he is now, may lead to him leaving Cleveland - either this summer or the next.
Love is winning and enjoying the national spotlight, but he's not really a key part of the team. On the court, he's a third option at best and his numbers are nearing all-time career lows; and depending on how deep you want to read into a LeBron James Instagram picture of the "clique," Love isn't a key piece off the court, either. Kyler believes Love isn't a lock to return to Cleveland, especially if he doesn't become an important cog in the wheel.
"In the case of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love is absolutely the elephant in the room, because as much as everyone in the equation has tried to say everything is OK, repeatedly throughout the season it's been clear it's not even close," Kyler wrote Monday. "... The problem is Love isn't even close to a meaningful part of the team. He has missed games to 'rest,' he is often sat down in the fourth quarter because his defense is lackluster - to say it nicely. He is posting near career-lows in almost every category and his team has struggled to find a real full-time use for him. ...
"Love is winning more games than he ever has in his career, but he's not a critical factor to the process and that's creating more and more doubt about his long term future in Cleveland."
Even with Cleveland winning the rumors continue. Kyler has previously reported Love isn't sold on staying in Cleveland, and ESPN's Chris Broussard reported last month that a number of NBA executives believe Love will be gone in free agency.
It's also very possible Love, as he said earlier in the season he would, plays out the final year of his contract for next season. Doing so would allow him to become a free agent in 2016, when the salary cap is projected to increase greatly, while giving it one more season to see if things finally click with the Cavaliers.
For his part, Love has continually said he plans to stay in Cleveland long-term.
