Cleveland Cavaliers

One week away from the 2021 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers' No. 3 overall pick is reportedly attracting a lot of attention. 

Per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, the Cavs are receiving "significant trade interest" for their top selection. 

O'Connor added the Toronto Raptors at No. 4 and Orlando Magic at No. 5 "have made offers" to Cleveland to move up. 

It's unclear which player the Raptors or Magic might be targeting at No. 3, though O'Connor wrote that some NBA talent evaluators consider USC center Evan Mobley to be the best player in the class. 

In his latest mock draft, O'Connor has Cade Cunningham going to the Detroit Pistons at No. 1 and Jalen Green to the Houston Rockets at No. 2. 

There have been rumblings that the Cavs could look to do something either before or during the draft. 

Zach Harper of The Athletic reported last week that Cleveland is interested in acquiring extra picks, though he did note that doesn't necessarily mean a deal involving the No. 3 selection. 

Per Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo, the Cavaliers have explored trade options involving Collin Sexton rather than sign him to an extension. 

The Magic could be an appealing option for the Cavs because they own the fifth and eighth picks. 

One potential issue for Orlando is this is draft is generally regarded as having four players in the top tier (Cunningham, Green, Mobley, Jalen Suggs), followed by several intriguing options with major question marks beyond that. 

This event will mark the fourth consecutive year that the Cavs have picked inside the top 10. Their 22-50 record last season was the third-worst in the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Magic (21-51) and Detroit Pistons (20-52).    

Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso could be in demand as a free agent this offseason with the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly among the teams targeting him, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

Fedor noted Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell is also on the Cavaliers' free-agent target list as they seek another backcourt playmaker.

Caruso averaged 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 21 minutes per game this year, mostly off the bench for Los Angeles.

Despite modest numbers, Caruso has proved to be an impact player on both ends of the court. He averaged 1.1 steals per game in 2020-21 while remaining a hard-nosed defender, also contributing offensively with a 40.1 three-point percentage.

The Lakers were plus-4.7 points per 100 possessions with Caruso on the court this season, per Basketball Reference. This ranked third on the team among players with at least 100 minutes behind only LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Caruso's defensive box plus-minus trailed only Marc Gasol.

This effort would be a big addition for a Cavaliers squad that ranked 25th in the NBA in defensive efficiency in 2020-21. The outside shooting would also help after the team ranked dead last in three-point percentage and 29th in made three-pointers.

Cleveland does have a pair of exciting young guards in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, but Caruso can provide much-needed depth without requiring a high-usage rate. He can also create for others, allowing Sexton and Garland to move off the ball for stretches of a game.

Caruso did indicate he was open to re-signing with Los Angeles, saying in June: "Hopefully we can return and continue our great partnership but that’s obviously for a later date."

The problem could be the salary cap with Dennis Schroder and Talen Horton-Tucker among those also preparing for raises as free agents this offseason. It could allow Caruso to find a new home with the Cavaliers seemingly ready with open arms.

The Golden State Warriors are reportedly "intrigued" about potentially trading for Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton.

Evan Dammarell of WKYC reported the Warriors' interest as Cleveland explores potentially trading Sexton.

While the Warriors may have some level of intrigue, it's likely that Sexton is low on their priority list heading into the offseason. With Stephen Curry and a returning Klay Thompson entrenched in the starting lineup at the two guard spots, Sexton would be a sixth man and potential insurance policy if Thompson struggles to return from consecutive season-ending injuries.

James Wiseman is the likely centerpiece of any trade for Sexton, and it's unclear if the Warriors are willing to cut bait after just one season with the 2020 No. 2 overall pick. Wiseman was largely a disappointment during his rookie campaign and was limited to 39 games because of injury.

Even if the Warriors are willing to move on from Wiseman, it's fair to wonder if Sexton is the best target. Golden State may be better served looking for a three-and-D wing who can replace free-agent-to-be Kelly Oubre Jr., who seems likely to search for a larger role on the open market.

Adding a third guard when Curry and Thompson are set to occupy a vast majority of the rotation minutes feels more like a luxury than a necessity. With the Warriors already struggling for depth the past two seasons, it's hard to see them cashing in on Wiseman for someone who will top out around 20-25 minutes per game.

Sexton may also desire a situation where he remains a heavy-minutes starter.

After withdrawing from the United States men's basketball team prior to the Olympics, Kevin Love's playing future in the NBA is starting to become a subject of speculation.

Per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, the five-time All-Star hasn't "discussed or considered" retirement as he recovers from a calf injury that plagued him during the 2020-21 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fedor did note that Love will sit down with Cavs management "at some point soon" to discuss his future.

Through his agent, Jeff Schwartz, Love provided a statement to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday announcing his decision to withdraw from Team USA: "I am incredibly disappointed to not be heading to Tokyo with Team USA, but you need to be at absolute peak performance to compete at the Olympic level, and I am just not there yet."

The Cavs forward was a surprise inclusion on the final 12-man roster for the U.S. team. He missed 47 games this season because of injuries. The 32-year-old originally injured his calf during the preseason and reaggravated it in the third game of the season Dec. 27.

After missing six weeks, Love returned to the lineup for two games, starting March 12. He missed two more weeks from March 16-April 1 with lingering calf issues.

Love's 12.2 points per game this season was the second-lowest total of his career (11.1 as a rookie in 2008-09).

The Cavs still owe Love $60.2 million over the final two seasons of his contract.   

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran big man Kevin Love has pulled out of the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Love's agent, Jeff Schwartz, released the following statement on behalf of Love to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski: "I am incredibly disappointed to not be heading to Tokyo with Team USA, but you need to be at absolute peak performance to compete at the Olympic level and I am just not there yet."

According to Wojnarowski, Love is attempting to fully recover from a right calf injury that forced him to miss significant time during the 2020-21 NBA season.

Love was one of the 12 players initially chosen for the United States men's basketball Olympic team and spent the past 10 days working out, practicing and playing exhibitions with the squad before deciding against going to Tokyo.

There was a great deal of skepticism among fans and pundits when Love was chosen for Team USA given the tough season he endured in 2020-21.

The 32-year-old veteran appeared in only 25 games and averaged just 12.2 points per game, which was his lowest scoring average since his rookie season. He also contributed 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest while shooting 40.9 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Love had experience on his side, as he was on the gold-medal-winning Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Team USA also had limited options in terms of big men, especially with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis pulling himself out of consideration. Before removing himself from the team Friday, Love was the only true big on the squad besides Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.

Love is a quality shooter for a big man, having averaged at least 2.0 three-pointers made per game in each of the past six NBA seasons. He also shoots a solid 37.0 percent from long range for his career.

With so many quality guards on the roster, spreading the floor with a stretch 4 or 5 in Love would likely be beneficial to head coach Gregg Popovich's system.

The Americans are off to a slow start, though, losing exhibition games to Nigeria and Australia before bouncing back with a 108-80 win over Argentina on Tuesday.

Love had no points and one rebound in three minutes against Nigeria, didn't play against Australia and then contributed one point and four rebounds in 12 minutes against Argentina.

Team USA has already undergone some significant changes since the initial roster was selected. In addition to Love leaving the team, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal will no longer be part of it after being placed in COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant was also placed in protocols out of caution, but there is still a chance he will be able to go to Tokyo with the team.

For now, the Team USA brass is tasked with finding at least two replacements and integrating Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Milwaukee Bucks teammates Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday into the team once the NBA Finals end.

Given all those factors, the Americans are facing some significant obstacles en route to a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will have the opportunity to select a potential franchise cornerstone with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft, and they reportedly are looking at Jonathan Kuminga as a possible candidate.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported Cleveland hosted Kuminga for a private workout on Wednesday. The front office, including general manager Koby Altman, also watched him at his pro day in Chicago in June.

While Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green and Jalen Suggs may be considered the top four prospects, Fedor noted the Cavaliers "made a commitment shortly after the lottery to do their due diligence and expand the search beyond that quartet."

Kuminga is a part of that and someone the front office has now seen multiple times.

There is something of a high-risk, high-reward aspect with the G League prospect. On the one hand, he averaged 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while playing in the G League and is someone who can defend multiple positions at 6'8" with athleticism and physicality.

He could also slide into the lineup alongside Darius Garland and Collin Sexton as a versatile wing if the Cavaliers choose to keep both guards.

However, Kuminga is also coming off a knee injury that ended his season and shot just 38.7 percent from the field and 24.6 percent from three-point range with the G League Ignite. While Fedor reported "Kuminga once again displayed an improved jumper," it is still a major question mark as the draft approaches.

The Cavaliers will have to weigh all of that as they look to build a contender after missing the playoffs the last three seasons.

The New York Knicks reportedly continue to explore a potential deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Collin Sexton.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Tuesday the Knicks are the "most aggressive trade suitor" for Sexton, who's eligible for an extension this offseason before the final guaranteed season of his four-year, $20.2 million rookie contract.

Sexton led the Cavs in scoring at 24.3 points per game as part of his best statistical season since the franchise selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He also averaged 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 threes and 1.0 steals while shooting 47.5 percent from the field during the 2020-21 campaign.

The key question is whether his defense will ever improve enough to allow his offensive prowess to provide maximum value.

He's graded out negatively on defense in all three of his pro seasons—minus-13 aggregate based on the defensive Raptor metric from FiveThirtyEight—but each passing campaign has brought marginal improvement at that end of the floor. Even reaching break-even defense would be acceptable.

Yet, despite his steady progress at both ends of the floor, the Cavaliers enter the offseason with some key decisions to make.

They also have point guard Darius Garland and wing Isaac Okoro on the roster, and the No. 3 overall pick in the draft could land another guard such as Jalen Green or Jalen Suggs. So moving Sexton while he's closing in on a new contract is certainly an option.

Jason Lloyd of The Athletic previously reported the Cavs were planning to offer Sexton a max extension, but based on his more recent conversations, he "no longer" believes that's the case with the guard now "very available" for trade heading into the offseason.

Meanwhile, the Knicks' search for a long-term answer at point guard has spanned several presidential administrations and remains an active hunt after an otherwise promising season that seen the franchise reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

The Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul figures to become New York's main target, but his availability may depend on how the Suns do in the NBA Finals as Phoenix may look to run it back with the same group to chase a repeat if it beats the Milwaukee Bucks.

SNY's Ian Begley reported in early July that Paul's "name has come up internally as one of the players the Knicks could target at point guard this summer," but that's contingent on him deciding to explore offers beyond Phoenix.

If Paul isn't available, then it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Knicks amplify their efforts to go after a high-upside option like Sexton who'd fit alongside Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly willing to part with guard Collin Sexton on the trade market as the offseason approaches.

According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, sources have said Sexton is "very available," and the Cavs aren't expected to offer him a max contract extension.

Lloyd suggested it is possible the Cavaliers could pair Sexton with veteran big man Kevin Love in a trade to make it more palatable for teams to take on Love's contract.

The 22-year-old Sexton has been a highly productive player since the Cavs selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

After averaging a solid 16.7 points per game as a rookie, he upped it to 20.8 points per game in his second season. Sexton then set new career highs across the board during the 2020-21 campaign.

In 60 games, Sexton averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 three-pointers made and 1.0 steal. He also shot 47.5 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 81.5 percent from the free-throw line.

The Cavs went just 22-50 and were once again among the worst teams in the NBA, but Sexton was clearly their best player, which is why it is somewhat surprising that Cleveland may be willing to move on from its young star already.

Cleveland has the opportunity to control Sexton for an extended period of time, as he is under contract for next season before becoming a restricted free agent.

If the Cavaliers do trade Sexton, it could be a sign that they are high on Darius Garland, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

Garland enjoyed a strong 2020-21 season in his own right, averaging 17.4 points, 6.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.9 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals, while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from deep.

While Garland hasn't been quite as productive of a scorer as Sexton, he is a better playmaker and may be the best fit for what the Cavs want to do at point guard.

The Cavaliers own the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and moving Sexton could give them more options in terms of what they want to do with that selection.

Trading away Sexton would also conceivably net the Cavs more trade capital, which could aid their rebuilding process.

While moving a player with the offensive upside of Sexton is something that could come back to haunt the Cavaliers, further developing Garland and hitting on the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft would go a long way toward mitigating any concerns.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly "definitely looking into" a trade with the Detroit Pistons to acquire the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported Thursday the Cavs would select Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham if they do pull off a blockbuster deal with Detroit.

Cleveland owns the No. 3 pick in the draft, which is scheduled for July 29, and that would almost certainly be the basis for any trade. The Cavaliers would also likely have to include a future first-round pick and another draft asset or player, per Fedor.

ESPN's Jonathan Givony reported Wednesday the Cavs are one of four teams, along with the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder, who've been “making overtures” to Detroit about the cost of moving up to No. 1.

The asking price could rise if all four teams remain involved to create a bidding war for the top spot.

Cunningham would be a perfect fit on the wing in Cleveland. He'd slide in alongside Isaac Okoro, with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland in the backcourt and Jarrett Allen at center. Allen would be the oldest player in that lineup at 23.

The presumptive No. 1 pick averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.6 steals while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc in 27 games for Oklahoma State during his only college season.

Moving up to grab Cunningham would be a bold move by Cavs general manager Koby Altman, who's starting to come under fire for the franchise's sluggish rebuild.

"I think it really positions us well," Altman told reporters after landing third in the draft lottery. "When we started this a few years back, we talked about building through the draft and creating sustainable success. There's some real game-changers at the top of this draft, but [it] also puts us in position to really capitalize on opportunities throughout the landscape of the NBA."

If Cleveland ultimately stands pat, it should still get an instant-impact prospect in Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs or G League guard Jalen Green. USC center Evan Mobley rounds out the likely top-four selections, but he isn't an ideal fit given the structure of the team's roster.

The key question for the Cavs' front office will be whether the difference between Cunningham and either Suggs or Green is enough to warrant giving up multiple high-end assets to trade up.

After seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love could be headed to a new home this offseason, with the Golden State Warriors among the first in line.

"There is growing sentiment around the league that Love will negotiate a buyout with Cleveland and sign a veteran-minimum contract with a contender, with one of the options being the Warriors," Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Simmons added the Warriors could put on a "full-court press" to add Love after years of interest in the forward.

The five-time All-Star has two years and about $60 million remaining on his contract in Cleveland, but the organization could look to move on after he played just 25 games in 2020-21.

A buyout could allow Cleveland to focus on its rebuild around the young core led by Collin Sexton, Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and others. The team waived Andre Drummond last season after shutting him down in February.

Love, meanwhile, would have the opportunity to join a better team without worrying about cap restrictions. Drummond signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a minimum deal last year while Blake Griffin joined the Brooklyn Nets after his buyout with the Detroit Pistons.

The Warriors' interest also makes sense considering their financial limits heading into next season with Stephen Curry ($45.8 million), Klay Thompson ($38 million), Andrew Wiggins ($31.6 million) and Draymond Green ($24 million) all taking up significant cap room.

On the court, Love could provide the team with another offensive weapon to take pressure off Curry.

Love averaged just 12.2 points per game in 2020-21, but he has averaged 18.0 points per game over his career while shooting 37 percent from three-point range. He has proved he can be a valuable contributor on an elite team, helping the Cavaliers win the title in 2016 alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. 

The forward is also set to play on the United States Olympic roster, a team that also features Draymond Green.

"Obviously, with Draymond, it’s a love-hate relationship, but we’ve become actually pretty close friends over the past few years," Love said, per Simmons. "I love how he competes, his mind for the game, his intangibles, how he leads the break. He passes, he plays defense, and it seems like he’s always in the right spot."

Green could use this opportunity to recruit the veteran to Golden State as the squad tries to return to the postseason.