NBA Rumors: Love Could Have Change Of Heart Under New Cavs Coach Bickerstaff

One of the big names that did not get traded this NBA season is Kevin Love. The 31-year-old all-star was widely speculated to be on the way out but nothing went down. The one-time NBA champion did want a trade but it appears nothing prospered. Now, he and his agent (Jeff Schwartz), will just have to wait and see if a move will finally be done by the offseason.

Love wanted a trade but probably knew that it was a long shot. For one, there is his hefty $120 million contract that stood in the way. He is only in the first year of that deal, making it even harder for the Cavs to find a suitable trade partner. That could change in the summer with the belief that the free-agent market is so bare and the NBA Draft not showing anything special according to Greg Swartz of the Bleacher Report.

So far, Love has played in 46 games for the Cavs in the 2019-20 NBA season. He has averaged 17.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The five-time NBA All-Star has been under a lot of heat, particularly when he jawed with general manager Koby Altman. But all that was out of frustration with Love failing to mix well with the system of former head coach John Beilein.

Speaking of head coaches, the Cavs named JB Bickerstaff as the former Michigan Wolverines head coach. Beilein lasted only 54 games and struggled to adjust to the pro brand of basketball. Worse, he lost the vote of confidence of his players. It made his situation worse and the inevitable went down just recently. Could this factor in the Cavs' plans for Love?

The best way to answer that is to see how Love responds under the watch of Bickerstaff. With a new mentor calling the shots, Love could prove to be more efficient with expected new plays. It will be recalled how Love just went off on Collin Sexton in one of their matches, a system set in place by Beilein. That could all change for the remainder of the season.

Love wants to join a contender, something that he hoped happened earlier this month. But if Bickerstaff finds a way to put him to good use, the original plans of making the 2011 NBA Most Improve Player as the new foundation could take shape. The Cavs are 14-40 in the Eastern Conference and practically out of the playoff hunt.