When Kevin Love was traded to the Utah Jazz during the offseason, most believed the veteran big man did not have much to accomplish on a young rebuilding team. The rumor mill quickly flooded with talks of a buyout for the former Cleveland Cavaliers legend.
Some in Cleveland even thought a reunion with a veteran locker room leader like Love would benefit the Cavaliers in the immediate future. The addition of Thomas Bryant to the frontcourt quickly dampened the chances of that happening.
Even so, the expectations that Love would be freed to join a championship contender remained persistent. A recent rumor mill roundup from Brett Siegel suggested that may not be what happens after all. Love might stick around with Utah for the long haul.
Siegel wrote, "He has embraced his role as the veteran leader. ... Love has formed a strong connection with his 37-year-old head coach, ... many inside Utah's front office, including Danny Ainge. Love seems to be at peace with where he is, which is why no change is expected."
Kevin Love's career could come to a quiet end with the Utah Jazz
One would imagine that Love is just about at the end of the road when it comes to his time in the NBA. His on-court production has dipped across the board, and his main value has shifted to what was discussed in the rumor mill — his presence as a well-aged, seasoned leader.
Many in Cleveland would have wanted to see that veteran leadership help guide the way for a team competing for a championship. Seeing Love add one more ring to the trophy case would have brought joy to the hearts of Cavaliers fans everywhere.
There is still enough value to be found in what the former champion brings to believe that any team would have benefitted from adding him in the buyout market following the NBA trade deadline. There are still plenty of franchises carrying an open roster spot too, including the Cavaliers.
However, that is not where the story appears to be going for the former five-time All-Star.
If what Siegel says is true, then Love has found fulfillment in the final stretch of his career from a different source. Cavaliers fans rooting for Love from afar should ultimately be satisfied with that, even if that is not what some may have envisioned for the last hurrah of his career.