Cavs Handling of Jordan Clarkson Trade Clearly Upset Kevin Love
The 9-21 Cleveland Cavaliers have been in dismay since the departure of LeBron James two seasons ago, and have decided to shake up their bench. Last night, the Cavs traded Jordan Clarkson to the Utah Jazz for former No. 5 overall pick Dante Exum and two second-round draft picks.
However, Kevin Love was clearly not happy with the way the trade went down, with one of his best friends being pulled right before game time.
"This one hurts for me. That is my guy," Kevin Love said. "We just hit it off when he got here a few years ago. He became a really close friend of mine. It’s really tough.”https://t.co/lH3xFcyeqE
— clevelanddotcom Cavs (@PDcavsinsider) December 24, 2019
On the other hand, players on the Utah side of the trade will miss their teammate and friend as well. This is just the nature of the NBA.
Donovan Mitchell, on Dante Exum’s trade: “That’s my guy, man. It’s moments like this you always remember that it is a business. He’s a guy that’s been such an incredible spirit. ... I loved him as a teammate. A great teammate, a great dude.” pic.twitter.com/aOihp3VYlV
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) December 24, 2019
The 27-year-old Clarkson had spent the last two years with Cleveland, averaging 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists all off the bench. He will be joining a Utah squad ranked 29th in the NBA in bench scoring this year and could really use his services.
Also, there was almost no chance he would re-sign with the team in the offseason due to the Cavs' youth movement. Therefore, management felt they had to trade him away.
#Cavs have agreed to acquire Dante Exum and a pair of second-round picks from the Jazz for Jordan Clarkson, league sources confirm to @clevelanddotcom. Trade call hasn’t happened yet. Clarkson was pulled from the lineup.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) December 24, 2019
But, to pull him from the lineup right before he was getting ready to go to war with his hardwood brothers is cold. No wonder Love is upset. Many in Cleveland certainly share the same feelings.