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Cleveland Cavaliers: Is Jimmy Butler straight up for Kevin Love realistic?

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 8: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 8: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 8: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 8: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why Minnesota would consider this deal

While previously explained, the Wolves are in troubled waters with Jimmy Butler.

After posting career-highs in points, assists, and rebounds the season prior, Butler’s numbers decreased across the boards upon his arrival in Minnesota. The enhanced star power seemed to frustrate all parties at different points throughout the season.

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The 28-year-old isn’t as young as the Wolves core players Andrew Wiggins and Jimmy Butler. Along with being a free agent this upcoming offseason, it’ll be smart to trade him and lock in your future core first.

But who would want him?

The Celtics certainly wouldn’t. They’d have to somehow give back some high-profile players like Gordan Hayward and, even then, it’s not even certain to work. With Butler in Boston, they’d be forced to pay both Butler and Kyrie Irving next offseason.

Most other teams wouldn’t give Minnesota what they want in terms of value.

They aren’t going to get a top-five pick for Butler, especially if he’ll just leave the team in order to team up with Irving like most expect.

Just take the recent Kawhi Leonard trade for example. Most think the Spurs were fleeced by returning DeMar DeRozan, a first-round pick and Jakob Poeltl for such an elite talent just because Kawhi was ready to force his way out. Butler is ready to do the same.

Additionally, many don’t realize this but Love is just one year older than Butler. Also under contract for the next five seasons and able to keep Minnesota contending, there really isn’t a reason Butler-to-Cleveland wouldn’t work out for both parties.