Is it already too late for the Cleveland Cavaliers to recoup trade value from the extension they gave Kevin Love last summer?
When the Cavaliers extended Love for four years and $120 million weeks after LeBron James' departure, I suggested their long-term plan might be dealing Love to a team with cap space in the summer of 2019. Since then, two important things have happened. After a slow start, Cleveland has begun to purge the other veterans on the roster brought in to play with LeBron, dealing George Hill and Kyle Korver, and exiling JR Smith. There's no question now that the Cavs are rebuilding around young talent.
Unfortunately, part of the reason Cleveland stumbled early was an injury to Love, who played only four games before undergoing surgery to relieve pain in his left great toe. Love has yet to return, and there's no timetable for one as the trade deadline approaches.
Given Love's track record of missing time because of injury and that he hasn't been able to thrive as the centerpiece of the Cavaliers' offense as they expected, will it be possible for Cleveland to trade him for positive value this summer?