NBA Rumors: Cavaliers May End Up Wasting $60 Million On All-Star As Backup

The Cleveland Cavaliers have found no takers for Kevin Love, and it looks like they will have to make internal adjustments for the coming NBA season.

Love is owed $60 million over the next two NBA seasons, a reason why some teams have opted to pass on the five-time All-Star.

With no takers, there were suggestions that the Cavs may end up buying Love out.

But that route would mean losing money which the Cavs are likely trying to avoid. So instead of that, Cleveland may be taking a different approach to Love’s predicament and make the most out of his tenure with the Cavaliers.

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are reportedly discussing the possibility of using the one-time NBA champion as a backup. It would be similar to the role that Blake Griffin got in Brooklyn.

This means that the Cavaliers would focus more on utilizing younger players such as Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr. to man the power forward position.

But the gist of it all is that Love will remain a Cavalier for now.

The move could make sense as well. Love has been notorious for getting injured, a reason why the games he has played the past seasons have been diminishing.

Last NBA season alone, Love played in only 25 regular-season games and averaged 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 24.9 minutes of action.

When compared to his NBA career averages, this is a notable dip from his 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.4 assists numbers.

When healthy, Love is known as an instant double-double machine. He proved that when he was still with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but injuries have held him back since then.

Hence, Love may end up staying with the Cavaliers for now. That is unless Cleveland finds a willing trade partner or reaches an agreement on a buyout at some point.

Looking at the alleged plan, the Cavs may be planning this for the 2021-22 NBA season. Things could be different by next season when Love’s bill goes down to $28.9 million.

The 2011 NBA Most Improved Player is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.