Cleveland Cavaliers

When the NBA season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kevin Love and Andre Drummond were the Cleveland Cavaliers' starters in the post. Will that still be the case next season?

After back-to-back losing seasons, this offseason could be important for Cleveland as it looks to turn around the franchise and get back to having success.

Several decisions the Cavaliers have to make may be tied to Love and Drummond, who could both be back at power forward and center, respectively, or both be gone.

Love isn't going anywhere unless the Cavs decide to trade him. He's under contract through the 2022-23 season after signing a four-year, $120.4 million deal. However, that doesn't guarantee that his future will be with them.

There were rumors earlier this season that the 31-year-old wanted to be traded from Cleveland, so it's possible something could materialize this summer.

According to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, the Cavaliers would consider trading Love if they get an intriguing offer. But the team still values the California native and won't "give him away for nothing," per Fedor.

"They aren't going to accept a salary dump either," Fedor wrote Wednesday. "Sources maintain it will take a combination of picks and players for the Cavs to send him elsewhere. Get ready for more Love trade rumors this summer, especially given the dearth of impact free agents available."

In his sixth season in Cleveland, Love is averaging 17.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He has also played in 56 games, which meant he had been on pace to play his most games in a season since playing 77 in 2015-16, his second year with the Cavaliers.

Drummond was a more recent acquisition for Cleveland, as it received him in a trade with the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 6. He has a player option worth $28.75 million for the 2020-21 campaign, so the Cavaliers will have to wait to see whether he accepts that and returns next season.

It's most likely the 26-year-old will accept the option, according to Fedor, although he hasn't publicly said anything about it. But Fedor noted his option "has a direct impact on what the Cavs can—and can't do—with their roster this summer."

If Cleveland retains both Drummond and Love, then it may not need to add any more post players to its roster. That could also affect its decisions for the draft, in which it will likely have a top pick. The Cavaliers had the second-worst record in the NBA when the league was suspended.

So the offseason should be an interesting one for the Cavaliers as they look to continue to build around their young core, featuring guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. And it will likely begin with Drummond either accepting or declining his option and Cleveland making a decision on whether to trade Love.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond is reportedly considered "likely" to pick up his $28.8 million player option for the 2020-21 season. 

Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported Drummond is leaning toward staying in Cleveland, though the team has been given no assurances. The Cavs acquired Drummond at the trade deadline for the surprisingly paltry sum of Brandon Knight, John Henson and a future second-round pick.

Drummond averaged 17.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in eight games with the Cavs before the NBA season was indefinitely postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic. He spent his first seven and a half seasons in Detroit, making two All-Star teams and earning a third-team All-NBA selection in 2016.

Given his accomplishments with the franchise, it was a surprise for the Pistons to essentially salary dump him to avoid paying the option. 

That said, it's understandable given the virtual certainty of him opting in. Drummond has attempted to improve his jumper, but he's still mostly a relic as the proliferation of the three ball continues across the NBA. He's hit 15 threes in his NBA career, though four came in eight games with Cleveland. 

There is also massive uncertainty regarding the NBA's financial state because of the pandemic. The number of teams with available cap space this summer was already minimal, and most that had it are rebuilding and/or hoarding it for a loaded 2021 free-agent class. Should the NBA be forced to cancel games because of the pandemic, thus losing the television and gate revenue, it will affect the cap. 

It's possible the NBA and NBPA will agree to a level of cap smoothing to help the process, but the 2020 offseason is not an ideal time to become a free agent.

Drummond, like many others, will almost certainly lean into the certainty of a guaranteed contract umber rather than wade into free agency with so much up in the air. 

Cleveland Cavaliers veteran Kevin Love has been the subject of trade rumors for the past couple of years, but the Cavs reportedly aren't eager to move him unless the right deal comes along.

According to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, the Cavaliers are unwilling to part with Love in a salary-dump trade and would only deal him for "a combination of picks and players."

Love is under contract for three more seasons after the 2019-20 campaign at an average annual salary of about $30 million.

Per Fedor, the Cavaliers view Love as a "valuable piece" who "threads the needle between their present and future."

The 31-year-old Love arrived in Cleveland via a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2014 after LeBron James returned to the Cavs in free agency. Alongside James, Love helped lead the Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals, including the first championship in franchise history in 2016.

While the five-time All-Star's numbers have paled in comparison to what he did as a one-man show in Minnesota, he has still been a highly productive player in Cleveland.

During his six seasons with the Cavs, Love has averaged 17.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, getting named to two All-Star teams.

In the wake of LeBron and Kyrie Irving departing Cleveland in recent years, Love is one of the only remnants from the Cavs' championship team along with center Tristan Thompson and guard Matthew Dellavedova. 

The Cavaliers are largely focused on a youth movement led by guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, but it is important to have experienced veterans on the team who can help mentor and mold them.

Plus, Love is still a productive player who can help build a winning culture, as he averaged 17.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fedor noted that Love has wanted a trade since December, but given his contract and the Cavs' reported asking price, moving him may not be easy.

The Cavaliers are just 19-46 this season and on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, but if they can add more talent and develop the rising stars they already have, perhaps Love could play a role in them becoming playoff contenders again in the near future.

While Kyrie Irving does not necessarily regret his 2017 trade request, apparently he wonders what could have been with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Iman Shumpert, who played with Irving on the Cavs from 2015-2017, said the pair have spoken about what could have been had the group stayed together longer. 

"Me and Kyrie have spoken, and just talking about being in that time and thinking you're making all these right decisions and thinking you're making decisions for yourself, then sort of looking back and saying 'You live and you learn," Shumpert told Shams Charania of Stadium. "I'm not saying I regret it, but we had a good thing going. Sometimes you wish you would have held on. Or, you know, the owners and the rest of the front office would have held onto us all for longer.

"But we got what we needed. We got done what we was supposed to get done. I think everybody's happy about it. When you see these guys, there's always big smiles, a lot of hugs. Being a part of that was special. We're all very, very appreciative of that. We just wish we could have held it together for two more years to see what we can do."

"I'm not saying I regret it. But we had a good thing going."@imanshumpert tells our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania about Cavs team splitting up and Kyrie Irving's feelings on departure. pic.twitter.com/KxxowyqN5J

— Stadium (@Stadium) April 15, 2020

Realistically speaking? It's unlikely much would have changed, with or without Irving. The Cavs made it to the 2018 NBA Finals without him but were eviscerated in a four-game sweep by the Golden State Warriors. It's likely they would have won the Game 1 classic with Irving as their starting point guard, but the Warriors beat the Cavs in five a year before. 

A healthy KD-Steph-Klay-Draymond Warriors was perhaps the most unstoppable force in modern basketball history. 

It's also likely LeBron James would have left the Cavs after the 2017-18 season regardless, given his family's desire to live in Los Angeles and the organizational dysfunction in Cleveland. Irving's trade request probably would have followed soon after; the most interesting "what if" here may be how Kyrie staying an extra year would have shifted the basketball landscape as a whole. 

A jersey donned by LeBron James in his fifth career NBA game for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Indiana Pacers on November 7, 2003, could break the record for the highest amount paid for a game-worn jersey.

TMZ Sports reported Friday the jersey, which was also worn for the Cavs' clash with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat five days later, is the earliest one used by James to hit the auction block.

James' jersey from the 2020 NBA All-Star Game holds the current record of over $630,000.

"LeBron James memorabilia is some of the most sought-after memorabilia currently," Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin told TMZ. "After setting the record earlier this year for the sale of a LeBron James card for $900,000, we are hoping this jersey will set the record for the highest price paid for a basketball jersey which is $630,300."

The auction runs through May 16, per TMZ.

James tallied 23 points, five rebounds and three assists in a 91-90 loss to the Pacers and 18 points, seven dimes, three boards, two steals and a block in a 88-83 defeat against the Heat while wearing the jersey.

He'd go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors for the 2003-04 season and has since become one of the most decorated players in basketball history.   

Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love made an appearance on The Daily Show to discuss helping out arena workers during the coronavirus pandemic and the impact of social distancing on people who deal with mental health issues. 

Speaking to Trevor Noah about the situation, Love said there is a sense of loneliness and isolation that can be "devastating," but there are things that can help. 

"You know, continuing to create community in that aspect—I think that's a huge thing. ... But this social isolation has been, speaking of navigating this time, very, very different," he said.

When the NBA season was suspended March 11, Love pledged $100,000 through his charity foundation to support arena workers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. 

"I thought it was important to just take care of people that had taken care of me so long," Love told Noah about his donation.

In March 2018, Love opened up about his mental health struggles in an article for the Players' Tribune: 

"Mental health isn’t just an athlete thing. What you do for a living doesn't have to define who you are. This is an everyone thing. No matter what our circumstances, we're all carrying around things that hurt — and they can hurt us if we keep them buried inside. Not talking about our inner lives robs us of really getting to know ourselves and robs us of the chance to reach out to others in need. So if you're reading this and you’re having a hard time, no matter how big or small it seems to you, I want to remind you that you're not weird or different for sharing what you're going through."

Love also addressed the possibility of the NBA altering its schedule with a later start date for the 2020-21 campaign.

"It's a scholastic schedule; you get summers off," he said. "... I've done it for 25 years now of organized basketball, where it's September and October [to start], and if you go all the way to the Finals, it's through June, and then we get the summers off. So we have it really good, and that's not lost on any of us."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remains hopeful the league will be able to resume the 2019-20 season in some form later this year. 

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Labor Day Weekend is considered the "loosest of drop-dead dates" to complete the 2020 NBA Finals. 

While it's unclear if the league would permanently move to a December-August schedule, there has been increased chatter about it being something to consider. 

At the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference last month, Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin floated the idea of starting the NBA season in mid-December to help ratings.         

 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are virtual locks for an NBA draft lottery pick. With a 19-46 record that ranks last in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs certainly have their eyes on the future—and they appear to be trained on a few prospects in particular.

According to Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor, the Cavs have already identified a few players who could head to Ohio via the 2019 draft:

"Israeli swingman Deni Avdija is on the radar. The Cavs have done extensive work on him. Director of scouting Brandon Weems saw Avdija in person earlier this season. [General manager Koby] Altman returned in early March from an in-person trip to Tel Aviv. [Assistant GM Mike] Gansey stayed overseas a bit longer, watching three Avdija games and bouncing around to other locations to get one last look at some other international prospects, including Theo Maledon, Killian Hayes and Leandro Bolmaro."

While that doesn't mean Cleveland wouldn't select James Wiseman or Anthony Edwards—the consensus best two prospects—should it land a top pick, this draft class has been compared to the weak pool of 2013 and may lead teams to lean more on overseas scouting.

In his latest draft big board, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic was bullish on Avdija, a 19-year-old who can play the 3 or 4, and called him the year's "top international prospect":

"His feel for the game is quite strong, and he can play in ball-screens as well as use his 6-foot-9 frame's length to his advantage and score at the basket. He's a strong passer who can play on the ball, and he has improved his ability to play away from it this season. He needs to improve his left hand as a ballhandler if he's going to hit his ceiling as a playmaker, but there are a lot of tools here to buy into him as a starter-quality player at the NBA level."

Vecenie also touted Hayes, the French guard who has landed in the top 10 of various draft boards all season: "Few 18-year-old prospects combine the ability to attack and probe off the bounce with a polished, quick-twitch change-of-pace handle with elite-level passing ability. His vision is absolutely off the charts, and his ability to complete passes off of a live dribble with his left hand is unbelievable out of ball screens."

Pairing Hayes with Collin Sexton in the backcourt could prove to be a solid move for the Cavs with Kevin Love and Andre Drummond manning the paint.

As for Maledon and Bolmaro, they appear more suited for late-round selections.

Then again, Cleveland has been known to take big swings during the draft, though the last time that happened with a weak class, the Cavs ended up with Anthony Bennett at No. 1 overall in 2013.

Bennett lasted just one year in Cleveland and hasn't played in the NBA since 2017.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Larry Nance Jr. is at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus because of his Crohn's disease, which is treated with immunosuppressive medication, Nance told Kelsey Russo of The Athletic. 

"You'd hear every now and again somebody say like, 'Oh we're blowing this out of proportion, it's not that big of a deal.' And for me, it was like, 'What?' This is a huge deal," Nance said. "This is something that we've really got to take seriously."

If Nance did contract COVID-19, there is a greater chance he would face severe symptoms. As a result, he's taken extra precautions and hasn't left his house in over a week.

He also has a nurse coming to his house next week in order to perform an infusion of the medication he takes every six weeks to help keep the disease in remission. 

The NBA suspended its regular season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.

For Nance, the positive test was an eye-opening experience:

"That was actually pretty terrifying. They were still coming out with information about it. Yeah, I was scared for myself and my teammates, obviously. It was one of those that just kind of had to sit back and kind of wait. Like, all right, we’ll find out in a little bit if I start coughing or something, that like it’s probably not great."

Several NBA players have contracted the virus since then, including Donovan Mitchell, Christian Wood and Kevin Durant. Marcus Smart announced on Twitter Thursday he tested positive.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been more than 209,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, including over 7,000 in the United States.

Two-time All-Star Andre Drummond was having a whirlwind 2019-20 season before the NBA suspended games because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Drummond began the year as one of the key players for the Detroit Pistons, who made the playoffs last season for the second time since 2009-10. The 26-year-old was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 6, leaving behind the franchise he spent the first eight seasons of his career with. 

Sitting down for a Bleacher Report AMA, Drummond answered questions about his move to Cleveland, being part of the successful lineage of Connecticut Huskies players in the NBA, uncertainty about the NBA season right now and much more. 

@_5williams5: How did you feel after getting traded to the Cavaliers?

I was fine, just a new chapter of my life I have to get adjusted. New experience for me. I'd never been traded before, but the transition has been great.

    

@fitzmagic14: What are your thoughts on the Cavs and the new coaching staff?

Our team is really good. We are starting to get healthy. Outstanding coaching staff. (John) Beilein was a great coach, JB (Bickerstaff) is a hell of a coach, his basketball mind is incredible.

        

@uhhhh: Would you consider re-signing with the Cavs after the season?

Right now my focus is staying healthy, that's a long ways away. I love being in Cleveland, and I'll come up with a decision when time is right.

       

@BostonDynasty524: Who is on your all-time UConn starting 5 not including yourself?

Kemba (Walker), Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, (Emeka) Okafor, (Hasheem) Thabeet.

@ded: From Connecticut here. What was your best memory while you were playing at UConn?

The fanbase. I built such a relationship with the fanbase and the kids around campus. I miss how much we were a family. I still talk to my classmates.

       

@jl2626: Favorite March Madness memory or moment?

Kemba Walker's whole year, that was my favorite moment watching him play.

      

@DanK_Eric: What are you doing in quarantine?

Just doing a couple of exercises, getting better at 2K, kinda suck at it, spending time with my family. 

      

@natgee: How would you describe your thoughts on how the rest of the season should play out?

I don't even know. I know how big a deal it is. Safety is key not just for us but for everyone. We shouldn't play until things are right.

      

@EbeConfetti: Any memories playing against VC or Kobe?

I've had a chance to build a relationship with Vince... With Kobe, he always had one-liners to keep me motivated. An incredible basketball mind but a better person. His message will live forever.

      

@Miles27: We miss you in Detroit. Can you reflect on your time here in a few brief statements?

My time in Detroit was incredible, being drafted by a team and them sticking with me. I bought a house there so it will always be home. Good things come to an end, and we both had to move on.

       

@oliverclothesoff: What are the best shows to watch while in quarantine?

I randomly started watching The Circle yesterday. I was making jokes about it, but the show is pretty cool. Breaking Bad, Love is Blind.

    

@Msilver13: When you were younger who was your idol nba player?

Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaq and Dwight.

      

@Msilver13: If you could compare yourself to any NBA player in history, who would it be?

Bill Russell or Karl Malone.

      

@BS25PHI21: Are you and Embiid good now?

We never had a problem, it's basketball I talk a lot of trash. He does it on social media, I do it in the game.

      

@theMADMANN: If you could play for any team, (past or present), what team would it be and why?

The Bulls team with Jordan, Pippen. Just to see the energy playing with them.

     

@AMcGee15: What NBA record would you most like to break?

20-20 record.

      

@Cdawg123: What is your best and worst moment in the NBA?

Every time I step on the court... Worst moment is when I get dunked on, it lingers.

           

@tensecondhooper: Funniest locker room moment?

When Tobias popcorned Stanley Johnson's car. He was a rookie and he wasn't following instructions. I went out before film and filled up the car with popcorn, butter and salt.

        

@cbal: If you could play anyone past or present one-on-one who would it be?

Shaq for sure or Wilt Chamberlain.

      

@BronGOAT23: Who is the player you'd like to dunk on most?

Bradley Beal. Brad and I are childhood friends so I want to get him back.

     

@LAXXPLAYER: Any tips on making it to the NBA?

Believe in yourself.

       

@Ril_Berry: Who would win a 3-point contest: You or Steven Adams?

I would definitely win.

      

@tarantino1: What arena has the best environment in the NBA?

Cleveland, but outside of hometown, I'd say OKC, GSW, Boston.

      

@ForRudy23: Do you have one player or team that you just love to beat?

Nah, I just enjoy being the underdog. I enjoy beating the most talked about teams, so right now, the Lakers.

      

@Celtics4Lifer: What is the secret to your rebounding success?

Want to get it more.

       

@Caispearman03: What's your favorite sneaker in your closet?

Jordan 10s.

     

@PhillyBoul: What's your favorite cereal?

Reese's Puff.

       

@Rabih: What's your favorite cheat meal?

Buffalo Wild Wings, anything from there i go crazy for.

      

@Arrow30: Who is your favorite superhero?

Thor.

      

@AlexLarsen Which spot had the best food in Storrs?

Chicken spot right below thirsty's @larsen.

@Lacas: How's Cleveland, rate it 1-10

9.

      

@greenjellyguy: What your favorite song right now?

Oprah's Bank Account by Lil Yachty.

      

Drummond had eight games with the Cavs to show off his skills before the NBA season was suspended. He was performing right in line with his career numbers, averaging 17.5 points and 11.1 rebounds for his new team. 

The Cavaliers are still playing the long game in their rebuilding effort, but the potential to have Drummond in the paint with the emergence of Collin Sexton and potential of 2019 first-round pick Darius Garland offers the franchise hope for a turnaround soon.   

Larry Nance Jr. is adding his name to the growing list of athletes pitching in as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the world. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers' big man has donated $100,000 to food banks across the Cleveland and Akron areas and is hoping more will join him.

Just happy to be able to support the communities that have always supported me! https://t.co/PhkYjWUIZx

— Larry Nance (@Larrydn22) March 19, 2020

Nance gave $50,000 to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank and another $50,000 to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

The Ohio native has a long history in the Buckeye State. His father, Larry Sr., was a three-time All-Star who played for the Cavs from 1988-1994 and was a high school star in Akron before turning pro. After getting drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015, he was traded to Cleveland in 2018, where he took up his father's retired No. 22.