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4 Teams That Should Trade for Kevin Love

By Jerry Trotta

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly listening to trade offers for Kevin Love.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly listening to trade offers for Kevin Love. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

With the Cleveland Cavaliers in the midst of a rebuild, it's largely expected that general manager Koby Altman will be selling ahead of the February trade deadline.

Well, rumors are already beginning to surface as Adrian Wojnarowski revealed on NBA Countdown that the Cavs are already open to fielding trade offers for Kevin Love. The veteran big man signed a mammoth four-year, $120 million contract extension with the franchise in the summer of 2018.

The five-time All-Star would be a welcome addition to any contender, so let's highlight a few teams that should pursue a trade for the double-double machine.

4. Miami Heat

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are the current three seed in the East with a 15-6 record.
Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are the current three seed in the East with a 15-6 record. / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Folks, just think about the potential of a frontcourt of Love and breakout third-year man Bam Adebayo. Jimmy Butler needs another player in South Beach that has previous playoff experience, and Love absolutely fits that bill. We all know that Pat Riley likes to make a big splash at the deadline and we don't doubt that he will inquire about acquiring Love.

3. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors should look for depth in their front court at the trade deadline.
The Raptors should look for depth in their front court at the trade deadline. / Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

At 15-6, the Raptors have been the surprise of the fist two months of the NBA season. Virtually everybody thought they would take a significant step backwards following the departure of Kawhi Leonard, but they haven't skipped a beat -- even with Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka dealing with injuries. If we had to point out one flaw in Toronto it would be their lack of frontcourt options behind Marc Gasol, who is beginning to show his age. Love would provide elite rebounding and instant offense to a Raptors team that his shaping up to be a genuine threat in the East once again.

2. Boston Celtics

Expect the Celtics to be in the market for a big man at the trade deadline.
Expect the Celtics to be in the market for a big man at the trade deadline. / Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

It's fair to say that the Boston Celtics, despite their 15-5 record, are feeling the loss of Al Horford. In truth, one could argue that they are an elite big man away from being the No.1 favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference. Therefore, they should heavily pursue Love and his 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds at the deadline. Kemba Walker has evidently fit in swimmingly in Beantown, but Love could prove to be the acquisition that takes the C's over the top.

1. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers sit at an underwhelming 9-13 through 22 games of the NBA season.
The Blazers sit at an underwhelming 9-13 through 22 games of the NBA season. / Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Was there really any other team worthy of being No.1 here? Carmelo Anthony has exceeded expectations thus far, but do we really expect him to keep up his 16.9 points per game pace for the next five months and potentially beyond? Just imagine the sheer destructiveness of a Damian Lillard and Love pick-and-pop. Portland should simply go all-out for 31-year-old big man, despite his concerning injury history. Not to mention, Love is a Lake Oswego, Ore. native, so returning home could be of interest for the veteran.