The Cleveland Cavaliers are being urged to add a former 2016 NBA champion and a franchise legend to their roster as they look to get over the hump in the Eastern Conference next season. According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN on The Hoop Collective podcast, the Cavaliers should sign Kevin Love, who played nine seasons in Cleveland, as he remains a free agent this deep in the offseason.
What happened to Kevin Love?
Kevin Love could return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Windhorst saying, “The Cavs are looking for a big man, and Kevin Love is out there.” Love won an NBA championship in 2016 and helped the team reach four straight NBA Finals as one of the co-stars for LeBron James.
Why it matters for Cleveland Cavaliers
Love would add floor-spacing, elite defensive rebounding, and championship-level leadership off the bench. His ability to fire from deep helps open driving lanes for guards like James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, easing interior congestion. He would also help mentor Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt, as Love is familiar with his game.
What comes next?
The Cavaliers have two roster spots remaining after signing James Harden and trading for Peyton Watson. Notably, teams often leave the 15th spot empty heading into training camp for financial flexibility or to potentially convert a two-way contract player later in the year. Last result: Cleveland Cavaliers 93-130 New York Knicks (2026-05-26), and their recent form has been 0W-0D-5L, with the team looking to turn things around next season. The Cavaliers are expected to remain a contender in the East next season following their Eastern Conference Finals appearance this year. Ahead of a run of games you can check on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page, the team will look to bounce back from their recent losses.
