KEY POINTS

  • Kevin Love is open to playing in Portland with Damian Lillard
  • The Blazers could form their own Big Three if they can get Love
  • Love's acquisition could influence Lillard to stay after this season

Unless a dramatic twist of fate happens, Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers could be moving to a new team soon.

The past weeks were marred by unusual antics from the former NBA champion.

But for any team to take in Love, money matters are on the table. The five-time All-Star is only in the second year of a four-year deal $120 million contract he signed with the Cavaliers.

Moreover, he is owed $31 million this season and will have a remaining $60 million until 2023.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been linked as a potential stop for Love, who may have added more fuel to the fire when he declared that it would be “special” to play in his hometown alongside Damian Lillard when he spoke to Chris Haynes.

“Who wouldn’t want to play with Dame Lillard, first of all? Dame is, he’s special. He’s amazing,” Love said.

This will likely create buzz, especially since the 32-year-old has been behaving oddly in the past games.

Love drew attention when he did not attempt a single shot in 22 minutes of action when the Cavs played the Washington Wizards.

With the Cavaliers in a state of turmoil, their rebuilding plans may not include the 2011 NBA Most Improved Player.

Portland could end up with a Big Three of its own if they manage to pry Love from Cleveland’s clutches.

Should Love join the Trail Blazers, he could tandem with Lillard and C.J. McCollum. They have a good supporting cast with Jusuf Nurkic also around.

However, sealing that core will still depend on whether the Blazers can put a lock on Lillard.

Kevin Love
Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Oct. 19, 2018. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The 30-year-old guard is set to become a free agent after this NBA season, and several teams are waiting to explore options with the six-time NBA All-Star.

At the top of the list is the New York Knicks, a team in need of a veteran to lead the franchise.

Such could alter the landscape for the Lillard if Portland will have the means to acquire Love.

With another All-Star in the mix, the sixth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft may opt to stay, making the Blazers a team to watch by the 2021-22 NBA season.

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