In 2014, Kevin Love was one of the best players in the NBA.
He was a double-double machine, but was stuck on the Minnesota Timberwolves; a franchise known for being bottom tier.
However, that summer everything changed.
LeBron James returned home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and demanded he get some help.
The Cavaliers decided that Love was the perfect fit.
Fast forward to 2021 and Love is still on the team, but without James and Kyrie Irving.
He is the last member of the 2016 title team that is still with the organization.
When James left, they gave Love a huge contract extension to show their loyalty.
Now they are desperately trying to get rid of him.
However, there are no takers.
The chances of moving Love have dwindled by the day.
The Cavaliers are at the point of no return with zero hope of trading him.
Why doesn’t anyone want a former All-Star and champion?
Health
Love has a long list of injuries that have hampered his career.
In the last three seasons, Love has not played more than 56 games.
Two out of those three seasons saw him not be able to get past 25 games in a season.
From concussions, to a calf injury, Love can’t seem to catch a break.
He missed most of last season rehabbing the injury with no rush.
The Cavaliers weren’t a playoff team.
There was no need to force Love to come back at less than 100 percent.
However, he did decide to play at the Olympics this summer.
This was a perfect way to showcase his value to contending teams.
Unfortunately, that calf injury was still bothering him and he had to withdraw.
Kevin Love has withdrawn from the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team due to his ongoing injury recovery.
We thank Kevin for his hard work & contributions to our team in Las Vegas & we wish him the very best in his recovery! 🇺🇸 #USABfamily
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 16, 2021
Injuries seem to follow him every season.
To take a chance on a guy who can’t play in most games is a big risk for any top team in the league.
Stats
When you look at Love’s time with the Timberwolves, he was dominant.
If you compare them to what he is doing today, you would be confused to understand that it is the same person.
Players cannot keep up their level of consistency sometimes.
However, this case is a lot different.
He is not capable of doing any of the things he used to do at an elite level.
His efficiency and scoring is down drastically.
Rebounding is still there at times, but not how it once was.
He is one of the worst players every time he steps out on the court.
Kevin Love was -45 in 26 minutes tonight.
That’s the lowest +/- by a Cavs player since Antawn Jamison in 2012. pic.twitter.com/df2gQViZE9
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 6, 2021
It is sad to watch someone you would be in awe of now be a complete shell of his former self.
The Contract
One of the worst contracts ever given out is the one the Cavaliers gave to Love in 2018.
They signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal that would begin in 2019.
This upcoming season alone will have Love receiving $31 million.
That is a hefty number.
The following season will drop to $28.9 million.
Contenders can find cheaper big men on the market, rather than trading for Love.
The only option if to buy him out with his value so low.
However, that plan has been thought about since last season, but with no progress being made.
With Kevin Love withdrawing from the Olympics it feels like a buyout of his contract is all but inevitable for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Playing in Tokyo was probably his last chance to revamp his trade value.
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) July 16, 2021
If Love wants to leave, they only option at this juncture is for a buyout.
However, Love can easily collect these checks and not worry about playing the next two seasons.
The Cavaliers are potentially stuck with Love for the foreseeable future.
NEXT: Bizarre Reality Of Cavaliers Without LeBron James