Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Love’s extension destines franchise to enter basketball purgatory
By Doug Patrick
I’m not crazy about the Kevin Love extension. Here’s why.
Kevin Love will receive $120 million over the next four years following the 2018-2019 season and be the Cleveland Cavaliers’ primary scorer.
Yes, Love has been nothing but a true professional in his four years with Cleveland. He’s been a double-double machine, an All-Star for the last two years, and has already demonstrated leadership ability back in Minnesota.
All of this is true.
However, the signing was a play for the middle rather than a step towards the top.
Congratulations, you finished seventh!
In securing Love for the next five years, the Cavs do many things: they protect themselves from reliving 2011’s collapse, they keep a star player who can make Cleveland more attractive to free agents, and they provide their young prospects a chance to develop within a functional offense.
The deal does not, however, provide Cleveland with any sort of path back to the Finals anytime soon.
A Love-led Cavs team likely stays afloat in a weak Eastern Conference but not much else.
Without LeBron James dominating the court, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue will have more freedom to use a wider range of Love’s offensive skillset and should use actions from the 2013 Timberwolves’ playbook. Love will also see fewer minutes at center, which could help make Cleveland’s cringe-worthy defense more respectable.
Still, Love will have to stay healthy for most of the season and, even then, Cleveland’s talent only rivals the East’s lower tier: the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
Teams that finished lower last season could be better this season. The Detroit Pistons (9) will have Blake Griffin for the whole season, and maybe we’re due for at least one more big Blake season—barring yet another injury.
The Washington Wizards (8) are more than volatile but the combination of talent in Wall, Beal and Porter has a higher ceiling in 2019 than Love, Osman, and Sexton. The Milwaukee Bucks (7) has a new and competent head coach in Mike Budenholzer and Giannis will be more dominant.
The East will only be tougher next season especially with Kawhi Leonard joining the conference.
Whether you think the Cavs will win 30 games or feel confident they’ll make the playoffs, I don’t think anyone has them in the East’s top-5.
So, if everything works out, they probably finish between 6-8 in the Eastern Conference standings. Consequently, they’d likely face the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, or Philadelphia 76ers in the postseason.
Can you seriously talk yourself into Cleveland winning a matchup against any of them with their roster as currently constructed?
Finishing in the middle of the pack is ultimately a recipe for NBA limbo.
A purgatory of sorts where a team’s main goal is to make the playoffs only to be bounced shortly after.
For their mediocre ~.500 record, they are awarded mediocre draft picks to continue their mediocrity indefinitely.
The Cavs’ decision to extend Love’s contract could paralyze the organization.