Golden State Warriors miss on Kevin Love as Eastern powerhouse swoops

Any hope of Kevin Love lining up for the Golden State Warriors this season has dissipated, with the veteran big man choosing to sign with the Miami Heat following his buyout completion with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Love became the buyout market’s hottest attraction when The Athletics’ Shams Charania reported news of his availability on Wednesday. Despite a plethora of possible suitors for the 34-year-old, the Heat won the race on Sunday according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Despite his boyhood friendship with Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors have been unable to lure Kevin Love to The Bay.

There’s no confirmation of what interest the Warriors had in Love (or vice versa), but in a Thursday report Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico said, “along with the Heat, keep an eye on the Warriors and Celtics when it comes to Love’s next destination.”  Wojnarowski confirmed the Philadelphia 76ers were the other team in play to secure Love’s signature.

The veteran big man was destined to be a seamless fit in the Warriors system, even if he was to do little in overturning their defensive issues. Love’s rebounding, passing and three-point shooting made him a tantalizing prospect to possess behind Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, despite being far from his former All-Star self.

It would be interesting to know whether Love’s interest (or lack thereof) in playing for the Warriors was impacted by his history against them. He was a crucial part of the Cleveland team that took on Golden State in four-straight NBA Finals between 2015 and 2018, and was ultimately the last remaining member of those Cavalier squads to remain with the franchise.

It could be worse for the Warriors — after a number of West teams strengthened their position before the trade deadline, the last thing they’d want is another conference rival gaining a boost from Love’s acquisition. Instead he remains in the East, opening a storyline in itself should the Cavaliers meet the Heat during the postseason.

With Love now out of the picture, there appears little in terms of major upgrades at the four or five position for Golden State. Expect the reigning champions to run it back after the All-Star break, living or dying by the two Green’s and Looney.