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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 26: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up with fans before the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 26, 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 26: Cedi Osman #16 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warms up with fans before the game against the Indiana Pacers on January 26, 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) /

It all depends on the Cleveland Cavaliers philosophy

The decision to stay competitive or bottom-out is one based in philosophy.

It depends on what kind of person you are.

Should teams be content with being good-but-not-great or should they always be taking the most logical next step in making it to the Finals in the quickest way possible?

In taking the most logical steps towards contention—in this case, bottoming-out—the Cavs would sacrifice both wins and relevancy. In a league where the Warriors look unbeatable and the Celtics look primed to dominate the East in the near future, there’s a strong argument to be made that this is no longer Cleveland’s era.

That it may make more sense to ride out the last star of their big 3 into the playoffs for the next few years as they develop their core in Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, Larry Nance Jr. and Ante Zizic.

The idea of fighting for the playoffs is more hopeful than the nightmare of finishing last in the conference and striking out on draft pick after draft pick.

Next. Cleveland Cavaliers: Top 30 all-time greatest players. dark

Still, there’s a sense of security in the Cavs decision that makes me wary. Celebrating seventh and eighth-seed playoff berths could punctuate the franchise’s greatest historic stretch with a face-saving whimper instead of in relentless pursuit to become serious contenders once again.