NBA rumors: Arguments for and against Trail Blazers signing Kevin Love

Reasons why the Portland Trail Blazers should not sign Kevin Love

Then again, Portland could avoid Love on the buyout market – for the same attributes, but with the opposite ultimate goal.

Yes, Love would add rebounding and bench scoring to a team that needs both. He’d also give a young team legitimate veteran presence and leadership.

Lillard would no doubt love (pun unintended) having his former teammate with Team USA alongside him in the Blazers locker room.

However.

If Portland misses the playoffs and earns a lottery pick, there’s a good chance they end up with two first-round selections. They would then be able to use those picks to make a much bigger upgrade in the offseason.

If the Blazers do make the playoffs, this year’s pick goes to Chicago. That pick is lottery protected through 2028 – so if it does convey this year, any of Portland’s first-round picks become tradeable beginning in 2025.

(The New York Knicks owe Portland their 2023 first-rounder if they make the playoffs. If that happens, the Blazers can begin offering their 2024 first round pick in potential deals, as they would fulfill the Stepien Rule that states no team is allowed to trade first round picks in consecutive seasons).

Thinking long term, though, is bringing Love aboard for 24 games with the hope of possibly making the seven or eight seed worth it? Or would Portland be better off with a top-14 pick it could either use or trade for a player who would be a better fit on the roster next year and the years after?

It would be a fun story and would make the Blazers better this season. But bringing Love aboard isn’t a smart move for the future of the franchise.