Why Warriors should go after Love in buyout market
An intriguing prospect for the Warriors’ 15th roster spot entered the conversation shortly after Golden State wrapped up its 58th game of the season and the team scattered for the Allstar break.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to buy out Kevin Love’s contract, leaving the former All-star a free agent. Love, who had been out of Cleveland’s rotation, has made it clear that he wants to play, and the Warriors need frontcourt depth.
After all those years of going at it in the NBA Finals, could the Love and the Warriors unite and write a playoff story of their own?
Let’s dive in.
THE 4-1-1 >> The Warriors were interested in acquiring Love in 2014 when he wanted out of Minnesota. A deal for him, though, would have likely required Klay Thompson, and thenteam consultant Jerry West threatened to quit if Golden State went through with it.
The trade never came to fruition. Love went to the Cavaliers, where he has spent the last nine seasons and won a title. The Warriors went on to win four titles, three of which came against Love and Lebron James.
At 34, Love is in the late stages of his playing career. He’s not the walking double-double he used to be, but he can still provide immense value when healthy.
The 6-foot-8 forward has been dealing with a thumb injury that has impacted his shooting this season. He was cut from the Cavaliers’ rotation in recent weeks, having not played in their last 12 games.
Love is averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while primarily coming off the bench in 41 games this season. That mark would make him the third-best rebounder on the Warriors behind Kevon Looney and Draymond Green.
Along with his rebounding, Love can help space the floor. He’s a career 40.4% shooter from beyond the arc. Pick-and-pop between Love and Stephen Curry or any of the Warriors’ other guards would be fun to watch.
Love has 15 years of experience and is known for being a high-iq player, a trait the Warriors value. He would provide a veteran presence to the bench and would be an upgrade from two-way forward Anthony Lamb, who has been a regular in the rotation this season.
And added bonus: Love is childhood friends with Thompson.
WHAT’S THE CATCH? >> One of the biggest highlights of Love’s career is a moment that went down in Warriors infamy. Love switched onto Curry with under a minute to go in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, but the Warriors star couldn’t shake the Cavs forward before throwing up what would have been a game-tying 3-pointer had it gone in.
Love’s defense overall, though, leaves a lot to be desired. And entering the Allstar break, that’s the Warriors’ biggest area of concern.
Golden State has registered its worst defensive rating since adding Draymond Green in the second round of the 2012 draft. Green identified after the last game that a lack of will to defend as being the reasons for the Warriors’ deficiencies on that end.
Still, if Golden State’s front office finds there’s not a better player available to help, Love’s other strengths might overshadow his shortcomings on defense. DEFENSE ISN’T THE ONLY CONCERN… >> OK, there’s one other thing to be worried about with Love, which has already been mentioned, and that’s his health.
How much Love’s injured thumb is still bothering him is unclear, though it has already seemed to cost him his spot in the Cavaliers’ rotation.
He is shooting only 35.4% on 3-pointers and 38.9% overall this season, perhaps a sign of the injury.
The Warriors are already undermanned for the foreseeable future. Curry is sidelined beyond the All-star break after injuring ligaments in his left leg. Gary Payton II, acquired via trade at the deadline last week for his defensive capabilities and familiarity with the team, will miss at least a month as he rehabs from a core injury. The hope is that he’ll be cleared to play before the playoffs.
And then there’s 39-yearold Andre Iguodala, who played three games in January but has been out since with a hip issue.
Golden State can’t afford another unhealthy player on its roster.
TIME IS TICKING >> There are reportedly several suitors interested in Love, including the Miami Heat. Any team would need to sign Love by March 1 to ensure he’s playoff-eligible.
The Warriors have limited options beyond Love. Serge Ibaka is available on the buyout market as well.
Golden State could also choose to look no further than what’s already in its locker room.
The Warriors have used both two-way players, Lamb and Ty Jerome, more than expected at the start of the season. Converting one of them to a guaranteed deal is not out of the question. A decision to do that isn’t as urgent as a buyout move, since they each can play 50 NBA games under their current contracts. Lamb has played 43 games and Jerome 36.
“We’ll take a look at the names [of available players], look at how everybody might fit, look at our two-way players, see if that makes more sense to put one of them on the main roster,” coach Steve Kerr said, “and we’ll just figure it out.”