Is Love the Superstar Most Think He Is or A Stat Chaser

The trade saga involving Kevin Love needs to come to an end. Discussed in the media since shortly after the NBA Finals ended, it looks as though the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves have an agreement in principle to make the trade happen.

However, since rookie sensation Andrew Wiggins signed his contract with Cleveland, there is a 30-day moratorium before he can be traded.

What was the worst kept secret in recent history in the NBA was revealed finally online that Love is really going to be traded to Cleveland for Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a future pick in the first round.

What is still up in the air is if Love will sign a five-year deal worth $120 million or not.

Some insiders have said that this trade was already completed in principle before LeBron James even told the basketball world he wanted to go home.

LeBron will now have Love a power forward who has been an All-Start three times in six years and the MVP of last year’s All-Star Game Kyrie Irving, as his new Big Three.

Of all the players involved, the one with the most at stake is likely Love.

The trade saga has caused some people to even question Love’s ability with opinions voiced that Love was a horrendous defender, was not a leader and chased stats.

Many things during this long drawn out trade talk have caused people to take a negative angle toward the power forward.

However, the fact is that Love is one of the top 10 players in the NBA. You have LeBron and Kevin Durant on top followed by Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Love, Anthony Davis and LaMarcus Aldridge, but not in that exact order.

There are players like Serge Ibaka, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and Joakim Noah not on that top 10 list, but still their teams would not consider trading them for Love straight up.

In 2013-14, Love scored 26 points per game and grabbed 12. 5 rebounds per game, while handing out 4.4 assists. Only four players – Billy Cunningham, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have averaged at least 26, 12.5 and 4 during the same season. Love is the first to accomplish that in 38 years.

Last season, Love had the fourth highest average in the NBA for 3s per game with 6.6 and hit almost 38% of them. He shot 50% for his 2s and over 82% from the free throw line. He was also third in the NBA in rebounding.

Last season with Love on the court, the Timberwolves were 6 points per than their opponents but with him off the floor they were 5.6 points worse or a swing of almost 12 points.

The debate over whether or not Love is the superstar talent many think he is or is not will continue. However, this season basketball fans will get them opportunity to see him play alongside superstar teammates and a chance to decide if Love is all he has been worked up to be.