Larry Nance Jr. has recently become a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, with a three-team trade that sent forward Lauri Markkanen to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Derrick Jones Jr. to the Chicago Bulls. Nance will provide a great defensive presence to the Portland Trail Blazers and will get the opportunity to play with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. That will be a great chance for him to play on a contending team.
Getting traded to the Portland Trail Blazers is certainly a good thing for Nance, and it seems as though Kevin Love wishes it was him in the trade, going to a contending team. NBA insider Sam Amico revealed that was Kevin Love’s desire, and also stated that the Cavaliers are “in a no-win situation” regarding the veteran forward.
Adds, “They’ve been in quite a few of those lately. JR Smith, Drummond, Kevin Porter Jr, and now Love. Am I forgetting anyone? Bad look.” (This is what I’ve already been writing btw)
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) August 28, 2021
Amico also lists some other players that the Cavaliers were in a no-win situation within the Tweet. Those players were let go for subpar compensation, or none at all. For example, Andre Drummond got bought out, and Kevin Porter Jr. was traded for a second-round pick. Neither of those scenarios was optimal, and it looks as though the Kevin Love situation is going down that path.
KL has spoken about his desire to play with the Portland Trail Blazers in the past. In a previous interview, Kevin Love stated that it’d be “special” to play in Portland, while also rhetorically asking “Who wouldn’t want to play with Damian Lillard?” It definitely seems as though he’d welcome playing there. Kevin Love also notably grew up in Portland, which could be a factor in wanting to play there.
Trading Kevin Love will not be easy due to his contract, but it seems as though he definitely wants out of Cleveland. It was also reported that Kevin Love and the Cavaliers have had “no talks” about a buyout either, so a trade could be the only option. Hopefully, both parties can find a solution that fits everyone in the future.
