The New York Knicks have been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love before, but this offseason the team may actually have a chance of getting him. New York, along with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, reportedly is one of the teams that appeal to Love as a potential destination in free agency.
Cleveland is winning, but that doesn't necessarily mean Love will return next season. According to Isola, New York will be one of the teams Love looks at if he does test free agency in July.
"Love may very well be back on the open market as a free agent this July, which is good news for Phil Jackson, who has available cap space and just about 12 available roster spots to fill," Isola wrote Wednesday. "... The Knicks are the type of big-market team that appeals to Love. The Lakers and Celtics would also be in the mix if Love decides not to return to the Cavaliers after just one season as the third wheel in Cleveland."
Isola, though, admitted there were potentially two obstacles for the Knicks in landing Love: One, Love didn't get along with Knicks assistant coach Kurt Rambis in Minnesota, and two, Love wasn't a big fan of the triangle offense.
While Love has continued to say all the right things about playing for Cleveland beyond this season, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill. Multiple reports have come out casting doubt on Love's future with the team, from an ESPN report claiming a number of executives believe he will be gone to a handful of other reports painting Love as on the fence about staying.
Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler indicated whether Love remains in Cleveland would depend on if he feels he's an integral part of the team, which he isn't right now. Depending on how you read into a LeBron James Instagram photo, Love, who has a reputation for alienating teammates, isn't an integral part of the team off the court, either.
It's also possible Love does as he says and plays out the final year of his contract, essentially giving it one more shot in Cleveland.
