NBA Trade Rumors: Portland Trail Blazers could swap Hassan Whiteside for Kevin Love

What's the rumor?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have opened the season with a 5-12 record, and Kevin Love continues to be linked with a potential trade. The Portland Trail Blazers are among the teams that have been linked with the 5x All-Star, and Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report believes that Portland could offer Hassan Whiteside, Nassir Little, and a future pick to land the 31-year-old:

While the Cavs clearly aren't rushing to move Love, they surely know their timeline doesn't mesh with Love's. With his numbers trending up, they might have a chance to nab multiple assets for someone who league executives doubted could bring back a single one.

In case you didn't know...

After joining the Cavs back in 2014, Love played a key role as the team reached the NBA Finals in four consecutive seasons. Following the departure of LeBron James last summer, Love signed a new four-year, $120 million with the organization, although the Cavs have since fallen out of contention, and are on course to post one of the worst records in the East for a second consecutive year.

The heart of the matter

While the Cavaliers have made a poor start to the season, Love has excelled, averaging 17.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. The Trail Blazers struggled this season, although adding Love alongside CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard, and Carmelo Anthony could transform the 2019 Western Conference Finalists into contenders. With Jusuf Nurkic closing in on a return, losing Whiteside wouldn't hurt the Trail Blazers, and the team should go all out to land the former All-Star.

What's next?

The Trail Blazers will be in action later tonight as they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, the Cavs will face off against the Orlando Magic.