Kevin Love played 10 minutes as planned in his return Friday, but only played 2 minutes tonight before exiting. The report from Chris Fedor said that Love didn't feel right and didn't want to risk reinjuring the calf that kept him out for so long. It was probably the right call on Love's part, but it's so frustrating. His tenure in Cleveland has been nothing but injury riddled. He's always out of the lineup, and I'm wondering if he should stay out as long as he remains on the roster.
I wouldn't mind shutting him down for the rest of the season and then do whatever you can do to turn him into expiring contracts in the offseason. Some notable contracts that expire after the 2022 season are Dragic's $19.4 million (team option), Rubio's $17.8 million, Iguodala's $15 million (team option), Cory Joseph's $12.6 million, Rodney Hood's $10.9 million, Meyers Leonard's $10.2 million (team option), Al-Farouq Aminu's $10.2 million, Tristan Thompson's $9.7 million, and Rajon Rondo's $7.5 million. There are other players with large expirings, and it is still unknown who all will be signed on 1-year deals, but these are likely the ones with the least value as actual players. Getting contracts like these in return for Love would be very good.
The Bulls decided to start Tomas Satoransky and Thad Young over Coby White and Wendell Carter Jr tonight, and it worked, beating the Raptors by 23. The significance of this is that Satoransky may not be easily tradable anymore. As a result, the backup plan may be necessary, and that backup plan is Delon Wright. As a 6'5 combo guard with point guard skills, he fits the need of this team perfectly. Given the situation of the Pistons, they also might be more willing to part ways with him than Chicago would be with Sato. At 10-28, Detroit is in full tank mode and should be selling everything. Sending Cedi Osman and a 2nd round pick or two should be enough to get the deal done, and they'd still have enough players to have a complete rotation with development and lottery picks in mind.
Another trade I would really like to see would be getting Mike Muscala from OKC in exchange for Damyean Dotson and a 2nd round pick. The Cavs have a lot of extra 2nd rounders, might as well put them to good use. Muscala is a good stretch 5 and not a whole lot else. The only other notable part about him is that his dad will show up eventually if you complain about Mike on Twitter.
The first lineup offers a more traditional approach, headlined by a heavy dose of pick and roll, something the Cavaliers are already very familiar with. The second lineup, however, provides a lot more offensive versatility. Wright is a perfect fit on this team, specifically when he is sharing the backcourt with Sexton. Sexton is a shooting guard but is too small to guard anyone but point guards, and Delon is a point guard who is big enough to guard shooting guards. Nance and Muscala can both roll and pop, as well as spot up. Pick and pops allow for the guards to get going downhill towards the basket without anyone clogging the paint. Delon and Sexton would benefit from this more than Garland, as both of them are better finishers around the rim, so spacing the floor out for them to get all the way to the basket would work out great. Wright is shooting 67% from 0-3ft while taking 40% of his shots from there, so that really takes advantage of his strengths. They're also both capable enough at passing out to shooters on drives, so they can punish help defense when it comes. Having 5 shooters on the floor at a time also allows for 5-out isolations, which is something that Sexton could shine at. He could use his blazing speed to blow by defenders, with no one to confront him at the rim unless the defense decides to bring help, which, with quick and decisive passing, would lead to an open three. The defense in that lineup also makes sense, with no obvious mismatches, as well as turnover forcing machines Larry Nance and Delon Wright.
In other news with the trade deadline looming, I expect Drummond to be bought out. Koby will hold onto him and try to trade him as long as he can, but I don't see one that makes sense for both sides. In that case, Drummond will most likely got bought out not long after the trade deadline, possibly even hours after. I also still believe that this team will be going nowhere with JB coaching them. I don't know what's going to happen with Aldridge, but Miami has matching expiring salaries to get the deal done. A buyout is definitely on the table, though. I'm also not confident on where Lowry will be after the deadline, but going forward with Fred and Norman as the starting backcourt in Toronto makes a lot of sense. As for Lowry destinations, I could see Philly and Dallas making pushes to acquire him, both of which would be good fits. Oladipo could see his time in Houston come to a swift close, with again Miami or Dallas targeting him. I'd be surprised if Vucevic or Grant get dealt, neither are really unhappy and neither the Pistons or Magic appear motivated to get off of them. Plus the team that has been rumored to have interest in them is the Celtics, who I don't take seriously anymore.
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