It’s been widely reported on that now former Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love will be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a pair of first overall picks in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett as well as a protected 2015 first round draft pick. What originally though wasn’t confirmed was Kevin Love providing Cleveland fans with a little more comfort as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports writes that Love is ready to sign a 5-year, $120 million dollar extension with the Cavs providing Dan Gilbert’s team with a much younger and seemingly better version of the Big 3 that includes Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and of course LeBron James.
Wojnarowski also though confirmed that no third team is involved in the deal (obviously) meaning Philadelphia will not be acquiring Bennett and the T-Wolves get quite the haul for their former star.
Aside from the apparent though in this deal which is Cleveland now being the undoubted top contender coming out of the East there’s a few other notable items with the Love trade. First Love seems pretty confident that LeBron James will remain with the team after this upcoming season. Remember King James can opt out of his contract after next year. Second if LeBron were to opt out in 2015 the Cavs are still in pretty good shape to continue to contend. Third, LeBron leaving Cleveland the first time around was really a blessing in disguise.
Why?
Unlike Miami who had an aging Big 3 and no depth, the Cavs now have what many would consider a better Big 3 with plenty of depth and youth surrounding them which only came with the years of futility after James’ departure. Remember, LeBron is the only guy within Cleveland’s three that will be in his thirties while Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters provide plenty of youthful depth off the bench.
In essence Cleveland is scary, really scary and probably will be for years to come.