A breakdown showing why K. Love still holds all the leverage this off season

[Hey Yo]

{it's a rather long read but should answer any questions one might have}

"Kevin Love will miss the rest of the playoffs, and the high end of his recovery timeline could keep him out through the start of next season.

Does this put a dent on his possible pending free agency?

Nope

[#number6ix#]

Just give us a summary...

[RedBlackAttack]

[bdreason]

I'm not sure why it's assumed Kevin Love will get a MAX offer from Cleveland. Do the Cavs really want to lock themselves into a LeBron - Kyrie - Love trio with little or no flexibility? I feel like the Cavs would be better off looking for a more defensive-minded big... maybe even two of them at that price.

[RedBlackAttack]

I'm not sure why it's assumed Kevin Love will get a MAX offer from Cleveland. Do the Cavs really want to lock themselves into a LeBron - Kyrie - Love trio with little or no flexibility? I feel like the Cavs would be better off looking for a more defensive-minded big... maybe even two of them at that price.

Love will and should get a max extension, especially if he opts out this offseason. The max this summer for a player of Love's caliber will look like a bargain in 3-4 years when the cap really skyrockets.

He also deserves the max. People point to the statistics and all of that, but the Cavs were so much better according to offensive and defensive rating with Kevin on/off the floor, it was amazing.

Love is a very unique player that you don't just replace with some other guy and he was really starting to figure out his role in this system. The ability to space the floor while still remaining a real threat both on the block or elbow and being an elite rebounder ... and being a guy who is an excellent passer who will keep the ball moving...

Those guys are few and far between. His offensive statistics may have suffered playing alongside two of the most gifted scorers in the NBA, but I never thought his impact was questionable. His defense was also completely acceptable once we got Mozgov. Prior to that, he was being asked to do things outside of his comfort zone.

He also enables us to be so versatile with lineups... and he's only 26.

Easily worth the max and he'll get it.

[Meticode]

Anyone thinking Cleveland along with at least 4-5 other teams aren't offering Love the max when/if he's a free agent is ignorant.

If he stays in Cleveland, he's getting the max. If he leaves for Los Angeles, Boston or a few other teams that can offer him the max, he'll get the max there too.

[kennethgriffin]

love is not worth a max deal. but he'l get one. and it wont be with the cavs

[Meticode]

love is not worth a max deal. but he'l get one. and it wont be with the cavs

[Optimus Prime]

Love is worth a max deal, easily.

The smart thing for him to do is either opt in for one year or sign a one year deal with whatever team he wants to play on. That way, once the cap starts skyrocketing after 15-16, he can sign a max deal that is worth even more.

Whether he wants to stay in Cleveland and continually be abused by LeBeta and treated like a role player is up to him. Though it is worth noting that once HGH testing starts next year, it would not be a surprise at all for Beta Bran to decline rapidly.

[RedBlackAttack]

Love is worth a max deal, easily.

The smart thing for him to do is either opt in for one year or sign a one year deal with whatever team he wants to play on. That way, once the cap starts skyrocketing after 15-16, he can sign a max deal that is worth even more.

Whether he wants to stay in Cleveland and continually be abused by LeBeta and treated like a role player is up to him. Though it is worth noting that once HGH testing starts next year, it would not be a surprise at all for Beta Bran to decline rapidly.