Kevin Love opts out of contract with Cavaliers

Thompson is likely looking for a max deal and the Cavaliers may want to give him one, but with Love and James also needing to get paid, it could get complicated.

The veteran forward, who missed most of the playoffs with a dislocated shoulder, has reportedly opted out of the past year of his contract.

Forward Kevin Love became a free agent earlier in the week.

Kevin Love has always been tied to the Los Angeles Lakers, since first declaring his unhappiness in Minnesota. But as of right now, they are rebuilding by adding young talent.

Love joins a host of other high-profile free agents this summer, including Marc Gasol, Kawhai Leonard, LeMarcus Aldridge and Jimmy Butler.

LeBron James delays re-signing is the basketball news coming out of Cleveland today.

Regarding the capacity to pay, the Lakers should be among the available teams who can give Love the most money. Although for Houston to land Love, a sign-and-trade will have to be executed to make it work. He was traded to Cleveland last offseason for Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young.

Lopez may not be a flashy name, but he’s a good defensive center that would provide the Celtics with the rim protector they have been seeking, which makes him an ideal fit next to Love. And once the playoffs started they reared their ugly heads. This news may merely be a precursor to Love signing a more lucrative extension with the Cavs. Ellis is represented by agent Dan Fegan, but he still consults with Fried, his agent for the first eight seasons in the National Basteball Association.

However, if Love isn’t going back to Cleveland, then Hollywood may be the best place for him. So this raises some eyebrows.

But a year into this, I think the Cavs can win it without Love. The potential total payroll could push the team into luxury tax territory, but the team’s ownership has been firm in its commitment to bringing back the rest of the team regardless of the price. It is very unlikely that he would leave them again.

This was the first time in three years the Cavaliers didn’t have the No. 1 pick. Boston has the best advantage in that department. The Celtics now hold the 16th and 28th picks in the first round.