Cleveland Cavaliers: 15 best forwards of all-time
player. 156. . PF/C. (2014-present). Kevin Love. 6
Versatile big man Kevin Love is probably one of the more underappreciated players in franchise history. He’s entering his fifth season with the Cavaliers, but will be without LeBron James for the first time in Cleveland. This should produce some intriguing statistics for Love. It shouldn’t be difficult for him though, as his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves would indicate.
Before Cleveland, Love was averaging 19.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest with the Timberwolves for six seasons. While there, he earned the Most Improved Player award during the 2010-11 season. Love put up 20.2 points and a league-best 15.2 rebounds per game that year.
He was originally drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies after being selected fifth overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, but was dealt to Minnesota in a draft-day deal involving O.J. Mayo. With James rejoining the Cavaliers in 2014, it triggered a trade for Love from Minnesota to Cleveland as part of a three-team deal.
Love has adjusted to playing second fiddle to James, making four playoff appearances in their four seasons together. In their second season, James along with Love and Kyrie Irving won the team’s first NBA title in franchise history in 2016. Love struggled in his tertiary role, but did enough to help the team out, as James and Irving carried the scoring load.
With James gone now though, Love will have an opportunity to take over as scoring option No. 1. He’s already fourth in franchise history in 3-pointers made (589), 12th in franchise history in rebounds (2,748) and 19th in points (4,705). By the end of his tenure, those ranks should change dramatically as “The Man” in Cleveland now.