Kevin Love compares ex-Cavs guard Kevin Porter Jr. to Russell Westbrook, addresses trade rumors

Appearing on Uninterrupted’s Road Trippin’ podcast on Monday, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love touched on the immense talent of recently-traded second-year swingman Kevin Porter Jr. and addressed the seemingly never-ending trade rumors surrounding his name. Porter Jr., to note regarding the former point, was essentially dumped to the Houston Rockets in reference to maturity issues, and he was recently designated to a G-League assignment.

Circling back to the podcast appearance from Love, though, Road Trippin’  is hosted by Love’s former Cavs teammates Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye. Allie Clifton, formerly a member of the Cavs broadcast team for Fox Sports Ohio, and is now with Spectrum SportsNet, is the podcasts’ third host.

When the subject of former Cavalier Porter Jr.’s banishment from the team and subsequent trade was brought up, Jefferson asked Love the following.

"“How did that (banishment) all go down? What was (the teams) reaction (to the trade)?”"

Love was quick to praise Porter Jr. from there.

"“I was actually telling Channing (Frye) not that long ago, that if you look at our entire team, and you take “KP”, and you stack him up – he was by far, by far the most talented guy we had on our roster”."

The longest tenured Cav added the following as well, which was very telling about how much ability and potential star-level abilities, if Porter Jr. can put it together in due time, he has.

"“I looked at him and I thought in a lot of ways he’s like a left-handed Russell Westbrook. …..Can rebound the basketball, can really pass, can get his own shot, can finish at the rim, body control… He is a really good kid….at the end of the day, deep down there, he has a really good heart.  I’m hoping it works out for him in Houston.”"

Porter, who had 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per outing as a rookie bench contributor last season for the Cavs, definitely has his share of promise, to drive Love’s point home.

Moving along, Road Trippin’ went on to discuss recent trade rumors involving Love, who is in his seventh season with Cleveland.

"“….I have no idea what’s going to happen. All I know is, with this team, I’m going to continue to do right. I love these guys on the team. I think everybody would attest to that. It’s just such a good vibe.”"

For further context, the Brooklyn Nets had reportedly been said to have interest in Love, and Sam Amico of OutKick and Forty Eight Minutes recently reported how the Cleveland Cavaliers will look to trade Love, when he’s healthy. We’ll ultimately have to see if Love is traded, feasibly by the March 25 deadline, though, and there have been trade rumors involving him before.

Because of a nagging calf injury, Love has played just two games this season, averaging 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. He’s expected to return to the court relatively soon, however, based on recent reports.