The Cleveland Cavaliers completed a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers for Kevin Love on Saturday.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers completed a delayed blockbuster trade Saturday that's been talked about for months and on hold for 30 days. Love, arguably the game's best power forward, is headed from Minnesota to Cleveland, where he will join James and instantly make the Cavs an NBA title favourite," ESPN reported.
The acquisition of perhaps the best power forward in the game boosted the Cavs' chances in winning their first championship in franchise history but ESPN correspondent Stephen A. Smith stressed winning a championship is slim for LeBron James and company.
Smith, the vocal veteran writer and basketball analyst, believed the Cavs will be tested this season even in the Eastern Conference with the way the Chicago Bulls reloaded their roster all summer long.
The Bulls signed All-Star power forward Pau Gasol, drafted shooter Doug McDermont and brought over Europe's best big man in Nikola Mirotic to back up an already talented core of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson.
Smith also said the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs are going to be the favourites to repeat next season because they managed to keep their complementary players intact by re-signing Patty Mills and Boris Diaw. The Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to spice the race for title, given the talent they have.
As for Love's status in this league, Smith believed Love is properly rated star because of his ability to rack up double-double numbers consistently despite being pitted against elite teams in the Western Conference most of the nights.
However, when asked if Love is a superstar, Smith explained that Love hasn't yet gained some credit to become a superstar because he hasn't performed yet in the postseason.
"He is a big time player with big time skills, he needs to improve on the defensive side. Smith said in an interview. "But offensively, he's got a big time three-point shot, he's got a big body, he can score in the post and more importantly his outlet passes is the best in the game."
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