Just as I predicted in another thread. I knew Love would be on the market once Lebron leaves.
But the trade chip doesn't necessarily have to be the 2019 pick. Lindsey would want it to be. But Jazz can also trade the rights to their 2018 pick in the deal. Remember, that's what the Cavs did when they traded for Love; they sent the rights to Wiggins, who they had drafted a month earlier. And that could be what would seal the deal with the Cavs. It would be a known entity in a very deep draft rather than a likely pick in the mid-to-late 20's in a draft that probably won't be quite as good. I don't see any of the lottery teams willing to take on Love and give Cleveland a 1st. And not many playoff teams can absorb his salary.
Jazz would still need to clear cap room. Obviously, Burks goes to Cleveland in the deal. So Cleveland only gets to clear 50% of Love's salary...unless the Jazz stretch Burks. Then there's the issue of the non-guaranteed contracts. Lebron could make his decision after the 1st. I'm guessing Utah declines the option on Thabo. If Love or George aren't acquired, I think he could be brought back by using part of the MLE, if the Jazz want to do that.
However, and I may be wrong about this, if the Jazz clear salaries to get under the cap, it also means renouncing their exceptions (at least that's what I interpreted from the cbafaq site). So signing a player like George or trading for Love would leave the Jazz then filling the remainder of the roster with rookies or players on vet minimum contracts. Not necessarily a bad thing, tbh. There's only enough PT for 10 players.
