NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Kevin Love, Ray Allen and More
It is far too early in the 2014-15 NBA season for any team to panic, but there are still bound to be rumors and speculation across the league.
After all, juicy personnel gossip is intriguing, whether it is November or February, and there are certainly teams across the league that could use some help. There are also squads that are rebuilding this season but would have room for a potential star next year.
With that in mind, here is a look at the latest rumors from around the Association.
Kevin Love
Ken Berger of CBS Sports passed along an interesting update on Kevin Love:
“And while rival GMs recognize that it's almost unfathomable that James would ever leave Cleveland again -- how could he, given the reasons he expressed for returning? -- they don't have the same confidence that Love is just as locked in.”
That is not the news that Cleveland Cavaliers fans want to hear at this point, especially since the team is off to a disappointing 6-7 start.
Love certainly has not been as involved in the offense as he was in Minnesota, which is understandable since he is playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. He was still averaging 12.9 shots a game coming into Monday’s contest, but he averaged 18.5 shots a game last year, 16.6 a game in 2012-13 and 19.3 shots a game in 2011-12 in Minnesota.
There is bound to be an adjustment period because he has never played with stars like Irving and James before, but that is a significant drop-off in field-goal attempts.
Whether Love elects to go elsewhere remains to be seen (he did play college basketball at UCLA, and the Lakers desperately need some help and another star to build around as Kobe Bryant enters the twilight of his career), but it is worth noting the Miami Heat got off to a slow start in James’ first season.
The Heat actually started 9-8 that first season but reached the NBA Finals. So it is far too early for Love to give up on the Cavs and start planning his next move.
Regardless, it will be an intriguing storyline to follow as the season progresses in Cleveland.
ESPN’s Chris Broussard passed along the latest regarding Ray Allen:
The thing that immediately jumps out about those four teams is that they are all on the short list of NBA Finals contenders. That should really come as no surprise because Allen probably isn’t going to come back for one more season and play for a losing team.
His eventual decision could play a major role in who comes out of the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers could use another outside shooter to take some pressure off James and Irving and need more postseason experience on a team that is largely devoid of it outside of James.
The Chicago Bulls need healthy bodies at this point, but surrounding Derrick Rose and their big men with a shooter would be a major boost for the offense. What’s more, Allen could actually provide Jimmy Butler with an opportunity to rest every once in a while before the playoffs.
Then there are the San Antonio Spurs, who always have room for shooters in their offense predicated on ball movement and depth.
Wherever Allen goes, the title contender will get a sharp-shooting guard who has reached the NBA mountaintop in the past. You could do much worse than that in a midseason pickup.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports noted that the Indiana Pacers may not get their superstar back this season:
“The Pacers have cooled on the hope that injured All-Star guard Paul George will return before season’s end, a source told Yahoo Sports.”
The fact that there is even hope at all should be encouraging considering how devastating the injury was before Team USA played in the FIBA World Cup. Paul George has been seen shooting around at practices and is something of a glimmer of hope for the Pacers as they deal with early injury troubles.
George commented on his own status before the season started, via Mark Montieth of Pacers.com:
"It's very possible that I can play (this season). I've talked to all the guys and said, 'Man, you guys have to get in the playoffs. That's the best chance I've got of coming back and playing this year.' I've already got it in mind that I could miss this whole year. I'm come to peace with that, but I'd love to be able to come back and play again.
"
The Pacers upset the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, but it is difficult to envision them truly contending for a title this season, even if George somehow made it back by the end of the year. It is probably best for the long-term health of both George and the franchise that depends on his production that he takes his time to rehab and is ready to go in 2015-16.
The Eastern Conference is not exactly deep, and a healthy George could propel the Pacers into a top-three seed in next season’s playoffs.
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