King James Gospel
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Kevin Love’s extension destines franchise to enter basketball purgatory

By Doug Patrick

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 28: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons compete for the ball on January 28, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 28: Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons compete for the ball on January 28, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Detroit Blues

The Detroit Pistons can serve as a cautionary tale to Cleveland.

In the last four seasons, the Pistons have finished no lower than 11th  and no higher than 8th in the East. In their lone playoff appearance in that time (2016), they were swept in the first round.

The team has stuck with stars like Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson who have performed well but not quite well enough to distinguish themselves from the rest of the conference.

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Their “meh” win-loss records have then forced them to pick in the 8-18 range of the draft—selecting players like Luke Kennard (12th, 2017), Henry Ellenson (18th, 2016), and Stanley Johnson (8th, 2015).

It’s safe to say that none of these players look destined to carry them into the postseason. Instead, they’ve only helped the Pistons maintain the status quo.

Without any way to attract talent to Detroit and with a locked up cap, the Pistons were forced last season to trade Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley to the Clippers, a team that looks like it lost faith in the oft-injured Blake Griffin. As Detroit’s season unraveled after a solid start, they made a move out of desperation to finally move the needle.

The risk did not pay off as the Pistons failed to make the playoffs. Now, they will be left paying Griffin $103 million over the next three years.

Griffin undoubtedly has the ability to help Detroit compete into the playoffs, but it comes at a price that seems extremely high. After all, there’s no guarantee Griffin will play enough to make an impact.

Due to their middling talent, Detroit had to make a bet that could turn out very bleak.