Kevin Love is among the NBA players who will represent Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics and despite Love battling various injuries over the past two seasons, the Cavaliers are on board with the big man playing this summer, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst relays in a piece that details how this year’s potential Gold Medal team was built.
Team USA coach Gregg Popovich approached Love about playing this summer and Love consulted with the Cavaliers before making a decision. Windhorst writes that the franchise gave their “enthusiastic support.”
Getting versatile players and shooting was the top priority during roster construction. Love checks both boxes and has the experience of a gold-medal run in 2012 in London.
Interest from Popovich was a strong vote of confidence at this point in Love’s career. And after consulting with the Cavs and getting their enthusiastic support, Love said yes.
Whether or not Love will be with the Cavaliers by the time the Olympics concludes remains to be seen. GM Koby Altman recently indicated that he envisions the 32-year-old having a role with the franchise moving forward, though rumors will continue to swirl given Love’s public discontent this past year.
Latest Cavaliers Draft Buzz
The Cavaliers own the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft, and given that Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Pistons, Cleveland will have options among the top prospects in the draft class.
USC center Evan Mobley, Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs, and G League Ignite guard Jalen Green are considered the next tier of players behind Cunningham. Although, the Cavaliers interviewed several other prospects in addition to those three at the combine this week, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
G League Ignite forward Jonathan Kuminga and Duke forward Jalen Johnson were also interviewed, Fedor notes while adding that Florida State forward Scottie Barnes is also on the team’s radar.
What if the Cavaliers Draft Evan Mobley?
Some believe Mobley is the second-best prospect in the draft and if Houston passes on him, the Cavaliers would have to consider what taking the USC center would mean for the direction of the franchise. Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com believes that drafting Mobley would set the team up to consider a sign-and-trade arrangement for Jarrett Allen.
Allen came to the team in the James Harden deal and has flourished in his new home. He’s reportedly in line for a new deal in the $100 million range and while Cleveland can afford to dole out that kind of deal, it doesn’t come without opportunity cost as Collin Sexton‘s potential extension and a new deal for Darius Garland down the line loom.
The franchise is rumored to be searching the market for a Sexton deal, so perhaps the financials won’t play a factor with Allen. Still, drafting Mobley—if he’s available— who is someone projected to be a franchise cornerstone, could redirect the franchise’s plans.
