NBA Trade Rumors: Kevin Love Trade For The Rockets Costly But Worth It

The Houston Rockets will attempt to take over the Western Conference Division with the arrival of Russell Westbrook from a blockbuster trade that sent Chris Paul and a couple of picks to OKC. With a few more tweaks, the Harden-led squad will try to take advantage of the new NBA landscape.

Kevin Durant bid farewell to Golden State this summer, and the Warriors are still at a loss after being exposed by a Kawhi-led Toronto Raptors. The Rockets will strive to take advantage of the situation by adding another star to their roster, and a Kevin Love trade makes sense.

Looking to the East, the Cavaliers are in full rebuild mode, and Houston would be happy to bring the All-Star forward to the fray. According to Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, Love certainly would accept a role as the 3rd option behind James Harden and Russel Westbrook.

In Cleveland's championship run in 2016, the sweet-shooting forward played comfortably as third-string to Lebron James and Kyrie Irving. Love's outside shooting can also stretch the floor and allow both Harden and Westbrook to penetrate and make plays.

Bailey, however, noted that for the deal to work, the Rockets needs to include Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker in the agreement. Undoubtedly the cost will strip Houston of their defensive core unless young bigs like Isaiah Hartenstein and Gary Clark step up.

If the deal pushes through the Rockets would still have Tyson Chandler and Nene as centers. Kenneth Faried also needs to bring back the "Manimal" for the rockets to contend with Love on the floor.

Chandler and Nene are solid veterans, but Clint Capela's activity, Eric Gordon's shooting and PJ Tucker's hustle will surely be missed. The Rockets could also sacrifice future picks for the deal to push through.

The 30- Love averaged 17 points, 10.9 rebounds last season in just 22 games. If healthy, he's one of the best rebounding stretch fours in the NBA.