For years, Kevin Love toiled in the tundra of Minnesota. The weather can be freezing and unforgiving, but it wasn't something that bothered him all that much. At least, it didn't bother him enough to want to flee Minneapolis the first chance he got. He wanted to be a winner and he wanted to be the focal point of a winner. He wanted to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves away from the darkness of winter and into the promising sunshine of basketball well into the spring.
Back in January of 2011, Love wanted to be in Minnesota for the long haul. He wanted it so badly that he was essentially begging Wolves' president David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor for the five-year max contract extension. There weren't any opt-out clauses in the deal. Give him five years to be the man in Minnesota and bring this franchise back into the playoffs. Build around him. Put the team on his shoulders. Kahn wouldn't do it and convinced Taylor he shouldn't overrule him.
There was a question about Love's knees. While many people assumed the five-year max was there to convince Ricky Rubio to stay if he became a star, the real reason was related to a question about Love's health. Three more seasons of missed playoffs and Love's departure was a ticking time bomb that led to him being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers this past summer. He was joining LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, the first All-Star caliber teammates of the last few years.
Things in Cleveland haven't gotten off to a great start with the return of LeBron. The team stands just 19-19 after going 1-7 in an eight-game LeBron-less stretch of the schedule. We've had rumors of dissension within the organization regarding the players and coach David Blatt. We've had terrible defense subterfuge good offensive efforts. Nothing quite looks to be going the way it was supposed to go with this team building prominently toward title contention this season or next.
Love's season has been his worst in quite some time and it's arguably the most chaotic season he's had in his entire career. That's saying something after his years trying to needlessly fight for time over Ryan Hollins while being coached by Kurt Rambis and playing for an executive like Kahn, who disrespected him knowingly or unknowingly time and time again.
And yet, Love stated to the media on Tuesday that he has no intention of opting out of his contract this coming summer. That opt-out was supposed to be a guaranteed move by Love.
"I think that we will figure it out here, so I don't plan on opting out or any of that," Love told NEOMG. "I plan on being here. As far as leaving my options open, I mean sure, it's always there. At the end of the day, it's always good to have something but no, I plan on being here."
Love says he's committed to the Cavaliers organization and stressed that while he's still trying to find his niche with the team, it will have no bearing on his future arrangements.
"I've said all along that I plan on being a Cavalier long-term," Love said without hesitation. "As we continue to evolve, my role will continue to evolve. It's still a process where I'm figuring it out."
Many executives anticipated Love would test free agency this summer.
If anything, it makes sound financial sense to gain an extra year of acquiring max contract years under your belt. Back when the trade from Minnesota to Cleveland was starting to be reported, there were rumors that Love and the Cavs would agree on a five-year max deal when he opted out and became a free agent.
That was supposed to end years of rumors about Love strategizing to get himself to Los Angeles and play for the Lakers. Now Love is buying himself an extra year, giving the new venture of building a championship roster a fair shake before the threat of him departing for another team begins on July 1. Perhaps this is a way of helping the Cavs have a few extra million dollars in cap space or spending flexibility when it comes to moves this summer. Without the bump in pay, Cleveland will have a little bit of room to wiggle in the players they go after, avoiding the luxury tax and pseudo-hard cap that can hit certain teams.
What this does represent though is the first time in years Love has finally trusted the people surrounding him. Not since he wanted that five-year max in Minnesota has Love openly committed to a place. As soon as he had the three-year opt-out, it was assumed the Wolves either had to prove their worth as a franchise to him or risk losing him and having to start over yet again.
Things are a little bit different when LeBron James is involved. Even if this Cleveland situation is more of a mess than anticipated, leaving LeBron would be a foolish move by Love. In theory, they're perfect teammates for each other -- playing intelligent basketball with the capabilities of scoring any way needed and delivering the right pass when called upon. In application, it's a little trickier because a lot of these players haven't quite figured out how to come together consistently on either end of the floor.
It's worth the risk though for Love. He hasn't escaped the frozen winters but he's going to experience that coveted basketball in late spring. He's no longer in a rush to secure his five-year deal with a team because there is security and trust even amidst the chaos of the LeBron-Cavs circus.
