Love Opts Out of Contract

[Big O [enjin:13874644]]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13142511/kevin-love-opts-contract-cleveland-cavaliers-sources

Cleveland fans must be furious about trade now.

[slimcalhoun27 [enjin:6640095]]

I believe him and Lebron are both opting out not due to wanting to leave the team but so they can get the new NBA salary cap Jump which happens in 2016-17. They can get better contract numbers if they are not locked in now.

Perhaps I'm missing something...but that's what I feel is the reasoning.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I think this was expected, wasn't it? So far, no action on the Cavs realGM board, so maybe it's not considered a big deal over ther.

Somebody help me with Love's strategy here. He's guaranteed to be paid $15.7 for the 2015-6 season if he decides to opt in, plus he gets to prove that the Cavs can win a championship with him when they couldn't without. Finally, if he has a good season, he becomes a free agent at the end of 2016, and can command a bigger contract with the expanding cap. I get that he may want the security of an extension right now even if it is for less per year, but can his ego handle a pay cut?

What kind of offer do you think the Cavs give him? And do the Lakers, Suns or Blazers (if LMA opts out) offer him more? I tend to think he will not be a Cav next season, because I think other offers will be better. Love will always be more in demand by teams that haven't gotten to see him up close and impersonal.

Anyway, it's a lot more fun this way. For entertainment purposes alone, I'm glad he put himself in play...again.

[GymRat [enjin:6592663]]

My assumption is that both Love and James will try to sign 2-year contracts with the Cavs at their max limit, with the second year being a player option. Both players will opt-out again next year, and then sign long-term lucrative contracts under the new max salary structure with TV money.

Though with Love I don't think it would be out of the question for him to walk to say, LA, and do the same 2-year thing.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Does Cleveland want him back. James runs the Cavs and is a huge Thompson guy. Thompson wants near max money. James is a max guy. Irving is a max guy. Love is a max guy. Where is the money to pay the rest of the guys? Going to be interesting. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Love leave. He is best served as a primary or secondary offensive option. He isn't best served as a third option that stands back and shoots a ton of threes. I don't think the Cavs are his best fit. If I'm him I really look at joining the Celtics.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

My assumption is that both Love and James will try to sign 2-year contracts with the Cavs at their max limit, with the second year being a player option. Both players will opt-out again next year, and then sign long-term lucrative contracts under the new max salary structure with TV money.

Though with Love I don't think it would be out of the question for him to walk to say, LA, and do the same 2-year thing.

That's what they'll try, but Love isn't Lebron. I don't know if he was good enough last year to necessarily get his 2 year max with a second year PO. They are still going to have to pay a decent chunk of change for TT as well. They'll want to keep Love most likely, but I don't know if they will if they don't get a longer commitment from him. There is less keeping Love in Cleveland than Lebron and Love could just jump ship next year for a big payday from one of the many teams just looking for a star if he gets scapegoated again.

[bleedspeed]

I hope TT doesn't become the next Trenton Hassell, but on a max deal.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

My assumption is that both Love and James will try to sign 2-year contracts with the Cavs at their max limit, with the second year being a player option. Both players will opt-out again next year, and then sign long-term lucrative contracts under the new max salary structure with TV money.

Though with Love I don't think it would be out of the question for him to walk to say, LA, and do the same 2-year thing.

But you wonder what Love is going to be offered by the Cavs. I think they are already at $66 million for just 8 players, and TT and Shumpert could cost them another $12 million (just guessing). If they're at $78 million for ten players not counting Love and the lux tax threshold is only $81.6 next season, how much are they going to be willing to dole out for Love? I get why LeBron is doing this, because he's going to get his $22 million and still be in huge demand when the cap goes up next year. But Love isn't LeBron. I think if I'm him, I opt in for the $16.7 and roll the dice in a year.

[GymRat [enjin:6592663]]

My assumption is that both Love and James will try to sign 2-year contracts with the Cavs at their max limit, with the second year being a player option. Both players will opt-out again next year, and then sign long-term lucrative contracts under the new max salary structure with TV money.

Though with Love I don't think it would be out of the question for him to walk to say, LA, and do the same 2-year thing.

But you wonder what Love is going to be offered by the Cavs. I think they are already at $66 million for just 8 players, and TT and Shumpert could cost them another $12 million (just guessing). If they're at $78 million for ten players not counting Love and the lux tax threshold is only $81.6 next season, how much are they going to be willing to dole out for Love? I get why LeBron is doing this, because he's going to get his $22 million and still be in huge demand when the cap goes up next year. But Love isn't LeBron. I think if I'm him, I opt in for the $16.7 and roll the dice in a year.

I completely agree with you on opting in and reupping next season when the cap goes up, but are you figuring in Haywoods unguaranteed contract into those numbers? I haven't checked myself, but I do recall reading that no matter what the Cavs will be hitting the luxury tax hard. I think they made a big mistake resigning Varejao to such a silly contract.

[bleedspeed]

This is the beginning of kevin coming home part 2.