NBA Trade Window: 3 players the Thunder should give up to sign Kevin Love
Over the last week, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been linked with a trade for 5-time All-Star Kevin Love. The Cleveland Cavaliers man is currently recovering from injury and has only played four times so far this season. The 30-year old center is a proven superstar, who played an instrumental role in Cavs' 2016 NBA Finals win over the Golden State Warriors.
Also Read: Kevin Love backed to make a move to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Just days after LeBron James left for the Los Angles Lakers last summer, Love agreed on a new four-year, $120 million extension with the Cavs. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers disastrous start to the season has encouraged the franchise to look towards a complete rebuild, and at the age of 30, Love seems to be one of the players that the Cavs are open to moving on.
This means that the Thunder now have an opportunity to acquire a third All-Star, however, Love will not come cheap, and here we will look at three of the individuals that OKC may have to give up in order to complete a trade.
#3 Nerlens Noel
Last summer, Nerlens Noel completed a surprise move to the OKC Thunder, after leaving the Dallas Mavericks. The center made the decision to seek a fresh challenge after injuries resulted in Noel playing just 52 times during his two seasons in Dallas.
Despite his previous performances for the Sixers and Mavericks, Noel is signed to a deal worth just $1,757,429, and Noel has a player option on a similar deal for the 19/20 season.
This is exactly the sort of contract that the Cavs are currently interested in acquiring, and Noel could even turn out to be a longtime option for Cleveland. On the Thunder side, the team will no longer require Noel if Love signs with the team, so it makes sense to include the 24-year-old in the deal.