What the Kevin Love Trade Means to the Cavaliers

Photo Credit: bleacherreport

Photo Credit: bleacherreport

On August 23rd, Kevin Love will be officially traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a package built around two first overall picks in the previous two drafts in Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett. The Minnesota Timberwolves will also receive a protected 2015  first round pick.

This will make Minnesota a rebuilding team with loads of young talent. On the other hand, this can possibly put the Cavaliers at the top of the Eastern Conference. Before they can do that, there are still a few question marks about their roster as well as them experiencing chemistry issues early just like the Miami Heat did in 2010.

Every NBA Organization besides the Spurs believe that the a key to a championship team is one that has a “Big 3″ or three superstar-like players to carry their team all the way.  Ultimately, this Cleveland team will go through some growing pains. Kyrie Irving and  Kevin Love aren’t known to have any interest on the defensive side of the ball, which is key to winning against the best teams in the NBA and in crunch time.

Also, Irving will also have to grow and learn how to make his teammates better as a point guard as well as being more efficient, averaging a little under six assists while in Cleveland. His three-point and field goal percentage dropped last year as well. Love will need to worry less about padding his rebounding stats and do the intangibles to win close games.

It is already obvious what LeBron can do, but the question is what can his team do for him? Cleveland still has Dion Waiters who wants to start and must prove he’s worth the position before he becomes the next J.R. Smith. Mike Miller and James Jones will also provide solid depth coming off the bench; both forwards are three-point specialists.

Anderson Varejao is projected to start at center, but can he stay healthy? Can Tristan Thompson improve his game? There are many questions still surrounding the Cavaliers and if their current team (with the addition of Love) could dominate this upcoming season.

The Cavaliers’ bench is also full with players who have little or no NBA experience like: Matthew Delladova, Joe Harris,and  Dwight Powell.  It seems like James has to depend on a lot here. A rookie coach, two young superstars, unproven young role players, and aging role players.  It will be fun to see which one of those groups picks up the slack.  As of now the Cavaliers still lack players who can impact a game on the defensive side of the ball. I wouldn’t give them the Eastern Conference Crown just yet.

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