As the Miami Heat prepare to kick off their 2024-25 NBA season, fans can’t help but wonder: what if things don’t go as expected? What if the team struggles this season? In that case, it is not hard to imagine a scenario where Kevin Love, the veteran with Championship background, is traded away.
Love has seen his three-point shooting decline in recent seasons. He shot 34.4% from three-point range in 2023-24, quite a bit below his 36.9% career average, and averaged 16.8 minutes per game.
Even at 36 years of age, Love is a guy who could be an asset to plenty of teams around the league. One of them might be the Boston Celtics.
With the Celtics already having a strong roster, there is not much they need to add except for maybe in the deep rotational roles. Love’s qualities-stretching the floor, getting important rebounds, and providing veteran leadership-would fit in perfectly.
In the Bleacher Report article ‘1 Ambitious Trade Target for Every NBA Team This Season’, Andy Bailey wrote: “In this team’s case, which doesn’t really need to do anything, simply upgrading the 10th or 11th man in the rotation could be the only realistic move on the table.
“If the Miami Heat get off to a slow start and move Jimmy Butler (who didn’t sign an extension this summer), they may start unloading other veterans, as well. Kevin Love is a floor-spacer with championship experience who’d fit Boston’s culture and three-point-heavy offense.”
Love has played 16 seasons in the NBA, representing the Cleveland Cavaliers, Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves. He has averaged 16.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 929 regular-season games over time.
The veteran is a 5-time All-Star. He also won the NBA championship as part of LeBron James’ Cavaliers, who turned around the Golden State Warriors’ 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Of course, any potential deal is dependent on how both teams start their respective seasons. If the Celtics sense an opportunity to improve their roster, adding a player like Love might make sense.
The Celtics thrive on ball movement, three-point shooting, and floor spacing-attributes that match Love’s abilities. Outside of the court, his experience in high-pressure situations may add a bit more to a team that has already won a Championship but seems capable of building a dynasty if they play their cards right.
On the other hand, a disappointing start to the season for Miami may lead the organization to consider trading experienced veterans such as Love and focus on developing their core of youngsters.
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