Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Trading For Kevin Love

Feb 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) is defended by New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James reportedly wants the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers to execute a Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love trade. Should the Knicks make the move?

The New York Knicks are approaching a turning point in the 2016-17 NBA regular season. The 2017 trade deadline is rapidly approaching and Carmelo Anthony’s tenure in New York could be coming to an end.

As the Knicks fall further down the Eastern Conference standings, the possibility of a franchise-altering trade has become as real as ever before.

Team president Phil Jackson has reportedly reached out to three teams about a potential Anthony trade: the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, those potential trade partners have been unwilling to meet Jackson’s demands.

According to Frank Isola of The New York Daily News, LeBron James is attempting to convince the Cavaliers to trade for Anthony—even if that means dealing Kevin Love.

James responded to the report by calling the article and the writer, “Trash.”

Nevertheless, one can’t help but wonder how a trade for Love would work out for the Knicks.

Losing Anthony would be tough to stomach given his popularity amongst fans and the players he’s teammates with. Love is an All-Star power forward who’s good for a consistent 20 and 10, however, and that creates an undeniable level of appeal.

The question is: what would the pros and cons be of executing a trade surrounding Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love?

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 126-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Pro: Offensive Versatility

Kevin Love became one of the most heralded players in the NBA during his six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Though Minnesota never once made the playoffs, Love became a fantasy basketball superstar.

Love’s offensive game isn’t for everyone, but he’d be a wonderful fit in Jeff Hornacek’s motion offense—primarily due to the fact that he wouldn’t stop the ball.

Love is a capable post player and a lethal pick and roll finisher who plays off of his teammates. He moves well without the ball, which includes both setting screens and moving off of them to find openings as a jump shooter.

When Love finds himself open, he’s as lethal a 3-point shooter as any big man in the NBA—an appealing truth for the New York Knicks.

Love has made at least 100 3-point field goals in five of his past six seasons, including the 115 he’s made through 43 games in 2016-17. He’s especially lethal in catch and shoot situations, which adds to his appeal as an off-ball player.

Love is also one of the best passers at his position, which includes phenomenal outlet passes that would help the Knicks’ improve their lackluster transition attack.

Feb 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) reacts after being called for a foul during the overtime against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Washington Wizards 140-135 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Con: Defensive Inconsistency

If the New York Knicks are hoping to improve on the defensive end of the floor, Kevin Love isn’t the player to target. It’s not as though Love doesn’t attempt to defend, but his fundamental execution has been painfully inconsistent.

Carmelo Anthony has been routinely criticized for his defensive inconsistency, but Love would be no improvement on that end of the floor.

New York currently ranks in the bottom 10 of the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions. It’s been that dreadful throughout the 2016-17 regular season, which is a product of more than just one player’s inconsistency.

Having said that, it would be tough to improve on defense by replacing one subpar defensive player with another of the same caliber.

It’s worth noting that Cleveland has defensive ratings of 103.1 with Love on the court and 109.6 without him in 2016-17. Love also has a positive Defensive Real Plus-Minus of 1.60, which further boosts his value as a team defender.

Love’s individual defense has been consistently criticized, however, and a strong 43-game stretch hardly guarantees permanent improvement.

Jan 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) battle for a rebound during the second half at Golden 1 Center. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 120-108. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Pro: Rebounding

On the surface, the New York Knicks appear to be one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA. Beyond the basic numbers, however, the Knicks have struggled to keep the opposition off of the offensive glass.

If Kevin Love only brings one strength to the table, it’s his ability to legitimately dominate the boards as one of the best rebounders in the NBA.

Now in his ninth NBA season, Love boasts career averages of 11.5 rebounds, 8.4 defensive rebounds, and 3.1 offensive rebounds per game. Thus far in 2016-17, he’s averaging 11.1 total rebounds and 2.6 offensive rebounds per game.

Not only has Love proven capable of taking over games via his offensive rebounding, but he’s equally as proficient on the defensive boards.

New York is currently allowing 14.5 second chance points per game, which ranks No. 29 in the NBA. It’s No. 3 in the Association in second chance points scored per game, but it’s losing the value of those numbers in its inability to prevent the opposition from producing in a similar manner.

Love may not be the best of defensive players, but his ability to corral misses and limit second chances would make him a wonderful addition to the Knicks.

Jan 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates after a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets with New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Con: Adding A Player At A Strong Position

The New York Knicks have two legitimate building blocks in Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez. Porzingis is a rising star at power forward who can flex to the 5, and Hernangomez is a force at center who plays a versatile game.

Thus, one can’t help but question why the Knicks would add a power forward to the mix if the goal is to build for the future.

Hernangomez’s recent emergence as a long-term building block has complicated a potential trade for Love. It’s not a reason to completely ignore the possibility of a move, but Hernangomez is earning more minutes every time he steps on the floor.

Over the course of his past 11 appearances, Hernangomez has averaged 10.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.6 offensive rebounds, and 1.7 assists in just 21.6 minutes per game.

Porzingis, meanwhile, is averaging 18.4 points per game in his second NBA season.

Hernangomez and Porzingis could end up being the interior duo that leads New York into the future. They’re close friends who have previous experience playing together as members of Baloncesto Sevilla of Spain’s vaunted Liga ACB.

Hernangomez could step in as the backup center behind Love and Porzingis, but the Knicks are already developing a strong interior for years to come. Why complicate the process?

Feb 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) spins around Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Pro: Moving KP To The 5

The New York Knicks play Kristaps Porzingis at power forward, which fits him well on the offensive end of the floor. On defense, however, Porzingis is forced to play to his weaknesses when tasked with closing out on 3-point shooters and being drawn out of the paint.

If the Knicks were to succeed in trading for Kevin Love, one of the positive results would be the subsequent decision to move Porzingis to center.

Porzingis is a matchup nightmare at power forward, but he’d be even more of a headache for opposing teams at center. He’d draw assignments from stationary defenders and rim protectors who would be out of their element when defending him along the perimeter.

Defensively, Porzingis would be tasked with covering less ground and would thus put less pressure on his legs by playing as more of a rim protector.

With Love and Porzingis on the court together, the Knicks would have two big men who can shoot the lights out, go to the post, work the pick and roll, and create off the bounce. Love could balance Porzingis’ weakness as a rebounder, and Porzingis could do the same for Love’s defense.

That may call Willy Hernangomez’s future into question, but the combination of Love and Porzingis would be as tough to overcome as any interior duo in the NBA.

The question is: should Phil Jackson attempt to trade Carmelo Anthony for Kevin Love? Moreover, is there any validity to the rumor that a trade could be looming?

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