The ‘IF Kevin Love is Traded, For Who?’ Piece

October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) moves to the basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Sometimes you just have to have a little fun and come with an off the wall type trade. That is what this one is. The Lakers are forever on the look out for their next star to build their team around. Kevin Love was rumored to want to return to the California, before the Cavs trade happened, since that is where he went to college and because he is from the West Coast. We give them both here in this trade. The team is likely not going anywhere this season but with Love in the building they, much like the Knicks trade, could finally have a player that players would want to come play with. Love and Kobe Bryant could make it fun in LA this season before signing a player or two next year to really get things moving in the right direction. They give up quantity here, mostly for cap reasons, but besides Randle not anyone that wouldn’t be okay losing.

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For the Cavs this is a now and then kind of trade. Jordan Hill has had a good season and is an athletic center that can help on the defensive end of the floor as well as around the rim. he is averaging a career high 12.4 points a game to go along with 7.9 rebounds and 1 block. Kelly is a floor spacer, low athleticism type (Kevin Love Ultra Lite) who could help space the floor at 6’11” from the power forward spot, 38% from threes this season. Wayne Ellington shoots lights out from behind the arc, 40%, which would be a great addition to the Cavs backcourt.

Randle would be the key to the deal. He is out for the season with an injury but the Lakers were very high on him long term. He would give the Cavs an interior presence who can also run the floor and shoot. He has a bit of Zach Randolph in his game. The Lakers would be hesitant to give him up but since he has been out all year they really don’t know what they have and Love replaces him as their starting 4 man. The Cavs get players who can produce now, they would have to cut a few players to make roster spots, as well as Randle as a future cornerstone. The Lakers get a true superstar and only give up one player that likely would be a long term piece for them.

Thoughts: Putting the Lakers in this article started out as more funny than anything. It ends the article as a very intriguing option. The Lakers want a star player and could give up almost anything to get one. They could pair Love and Bryant up with a very high pick in this year’s draft, if they can keep the pick (Top 5 protected) to form a quality squad. The Cavs get players who can help immediately at multiple areas plus a young piece that hasn’t proven anything but that could be their replacement for Love in their Big 3.

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