Cleveland Cavaliers have signed just two players in the offseason: Evan Mobley and Ricky Rubio. They have also re-signed Jarrett Allen. However, they have had six outgoings so far. According to reports, Cleveland Cavaliers are close to signing Lauri Markkanen, a restricted free agent, on a four-year deal. However, the rumor has sparked reactions from fans, with several fans calling it an end to Kevin Love and Cleveland Cavaliers’ love affair.
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USA Today via Reuters
Jan 17, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives to the basket as Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen (24) defends during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Lauri Markkanen in 2017 as the seventh overall pick. However, the Timberwolves traded his drafting rights to Chicago Bulls. He signed with the Bulls and spent four seasons with them. However, in his last season at the Bulls, he started around 50% of the regular-season games. Now, he is linked with a move to Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland is acquiring Chicago restricted free agent F Lauri Markkanen on a four-year, $67M deal in a sign-and-trade, sources tell ESPN.
NBA Twitter reacts to Cavaliers’ latest signing and Kevin Love
According to NBA reporter Shams Charania, Lauri Markkanen is close to joining the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal. However, some NBA fans think Lauri is Kevin Love’s replacement at Cleveland Cavaliers. They think Kevin Love’s seven-year stint in Cleveland is over now. NBA Twitter feels that the Lakers could pounce upon this opportunity and add Kevin Love to their ‘super team’ roster. Here are some of the reactions.
Cleveland after getting Kevin Love’s replacement 😭
The Kevin Love era in Cleveland is officially over. Time to ask for that buyout buddy.
Kevin Love is officially surplus
ESPN Sources: Cleveland’s acquiring Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen in three-way sign and trade with Portland. Bulls get Derrick Jones Jr., POR’s lottery protected future 1st and Cavs’ future second-rounder. POR gets Larry Nance Jr.
How Kevin Love walking into Lakers training camp
Kevin Love when he sees LeBron James in LA
Russell Westbrook & Kevin Love soon
Kevin Love is a five-time All-Star and one-time NBA champion. He won the only NBA championship of his career at Cleveland Cavaliers. In fact, he was named the Most Improved Player of the NBA in 2011 and was also the rebounding leader that year. He played just 25 games last season with Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged 12.2 PPG.
There were rumors that Kevin Love’s buyout is only a matter of time and with Lauri’s signature, the rumors have solidified. Despite struggling from injuries last season, the 32-year-old power forward is still an effective player. He is still capable of improving any team he joins. The Lakers are building a ‘super team’ for the coming season and Kevin Love’s next destination could be LA. However, there’s little clarity over Kevin Love’s future. Lauri Markkanen’s addition doesn’t necessarily mean that Kevin Love will leave. Lauri averaged 13.6 PPG last season despite starting only 50% of the games he played for the Bulls.
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