Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love's shoulder injury could make it more likely he doesn't leave in free agency, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders. Kyler also said forward Tristan Thompson would likely seek a max-level contract this summer, putting the cap-strapped Cavaliers in a difficult spot.
Cleveland's playoff run has made Love's upcoming free agency a distant thought in the minds of Cavaliers fans. Despite losing Love to a season-ending shoulder injury, the Cavaliers have dominated in the postseason and now are one game away from sweeping the Atlanta Hawks and earning a spot in the NBA finals for the first time since 2007. It's arguable whether Cleveland is a better team without Love, but the Cavaliers certainly haven't played worse without him.
It may not hurt Cavaliers fans to see Love leave in free agency, but it would certainly hurt their team's cap space if he stays. Reports continue to indicate Love is on the fence about exercising his $16 million player option for next season, but Kyler suggested Love's injury could be a factor that tips him into staying.
"Despite comments to the contrary, it's always been expected that Love would opt-out this summer and sign a new deal. However, with the severity of his shoulder injury it's more of a 50/50 decision at this point," Kyler wrote Monday.
Opting into the final year of his deal would make sense. It gives Love one more season to decide if he really wants to stay with the Cavaliers, who may or may not at this point offer Love a max deal this summer if he were to opt out, and it allows him to become a free agent again in July 2016 - just in time for the expected salary cap increase.
