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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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why Cleveland would consider this deal

The Cleveland Cavaliers want to remain relevant. While trading Love might come off as disloyal, NBA teams have tended to promise commitments that just don’t pan out. Eventually, Love might be traded, and fans just need to under the business behind it.

If Butler is brought to Cleveland, he could then recruit close friend Irving back to Cleveland. Irving never wanted to leave Cleveland: he wanted out of LeBron’s shadow.

In Boston, he’s leading a contending squad, but the widespread reports of him leaving this offseason have stirred up conversation.

Cleveland could potentially open up two max slots next offseason while remaining relevant if they trade Love and then find a way to either stretch, trade, or buy out Tristan Thompson and JR Smith.

The Cavs reasoning to do this deal is twofold.

They complete their current goal and remain relevant, and they maintain long-term relevance behind the hopeful development of Collin Sexton, Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood while opening up quite a bit of cap space for next offseason.

How could Cleveland not want this? Are you really going to want Love earning the near-max at 34-years-old.

As with any other Cavalier fan, I also,l don’t necessarily want to see Love go. However, if Jimmy Butler is on the table late in the season and there is even a remote chance of attracting him to Cleveland, I’d take it.

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

Would you?