The Cleveland Cavaliers hit the jackpot during the offseason when they acquired Kevin Love in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but will the All-Star power forward stay for the long haul?
Love, who was acquired by the Cavaliers in exchange for high-profile prospects Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, could opt out of the final year of his contract after the current season to become an unrestricted free agent.
LeBron James, who decided to return to Cleveland during the offseason, also has a player option next summer. But James' future with the Cavaliers is set in stone, though, because he wants to finish his career in Cleveland.
"It's not going to get as much discussion during the season, but one of the biggest issues for the Cavs is that both LeBron James and Kevin Love own opt outs after this season," Sam Smith of Bulls.com wrote. "LeBron James basically cannot afford to go anywhere after his return to Cleveland."
Unlike in James' case, Smith is unsure whether or not Love will stay in Cleveland, saying that the 26-year-old power forward will likely decide to become a free agent after the current season and consider signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, who are expected to make a run at signing him in the summer.
"Watch out for Love," Smith added. "Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles, where he attended college and where the Lakers long have had him on their free agent wish list."
Aside from the Lakers, several teams are expected to sit down with Love when he hits free agency, including the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. But according to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, the Cavaliers will likely convince the former UCLA standout to stay put.
Cleveland is the only team that could offer a maximum five-year contract to Love, who will also have a good chance of winning multiple titles if he continues playing alongside James and Cavaliers superstar point guard Kyrie Irving.
Before the Cavaliers-Timberwolves blockbuster deal was consummated during the offseason, reports also indicated that Cleveland got a verbal commitment from Love about opting out next summer to sign a long-term deal.
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