How the Kevin Love extension might affect the Sixers

By Christopher Kline | Jul 25, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 20: Kyle Korver #26 and Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the game against the Indiana Pacers in Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2018 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why Philadelphia 76ers fans should care about Kevin Love signing an extension in Cleveland.

The NBA has mastered the art of staying relevant year-round. We’re several weeks into July, with big names like LeBron James and Paul George already off the market. Yet here we are, discussing more major news on the signing front.

Despite the departure of LeBron James, it seems as though Kevin Love is in Cleveland for the long haul. The former NBA champion signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension, setting him up as the franchise cornerstone as they embark on a new, King-less era.

Much has been made about the signing. It’s a genuine feel-good story for someone who deserves a lot of praise for how he’s handled the past four years. On the other hand, Love will be making $30 million when he’s 34. That’s a significant financial commitment for someone who might not fit their best available timeline.

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Many expected the Cavs to rebuild after the LeBron signing, and for obvious reasons. They aren’t in position to compete — not in the East and not for the title. Treading water around the bottom of the playoff ladder is something teams generally try to avoid, especially in today’s NBA.

Dan Gilbert wants to win without LeBron, though, and Love helps him do so. Playing next to LeBron has overshadowed Love’s talent in recent years. People forget how dominant he was before coming to Cleveland, averaging 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game in his last season with the Timberwolves.

But none of that really affects the Philadelphia 76ers. Sure, the Cavs might be a future playoff opponent, but they aren’t a significant threat as currently constructed. The Love signing affects the Sixers far more on a different front: Kyle Korver rumors.

Some have pointed out that the Cavs could be positioning themselves for a rebuild by upping Love’s trade value. Teams might be more inclined to trade for him if he’s secured long term, rather than entering the final year of his contract.

With that said, the Cavs have made a lot of noise about Kevin being someone they’re excited to build around moving forward. It seems as though they’re spurning what feels like an inevitable rebuild — for now, at least.

If that’s the case, the odds of Kyle Korver being dealt seem slim. He’s on a reasonable contract and might end up starting, depending on how the team views J.R. Smith‘s value.

Collin Sexton–George Hill-Kyle Korver-Kevin Love-Larry Nance Jr. is an intriguing blend of shooting and defensive toughness, if nothing else.

You can disagree with the Cavs’ course of action, but it likely signifies that Korver is off the table. That means the Sixers will need to search for shooting elsewhere, whether it be another free agent signing or Landry Shamet/Furkan Korkmaz.

They could even kick the tires on Jerryd Bayless (okay, no they can’t. At least, they shouldn’t. Please no).

Next: If league expansion happens, who should the Sixers protect?

As the Cavaliers go down the long path toward mediocrity, the impending rebuild the Sixers were set to take advantage of no longer seems possible.