INDEPENDENCE: While the Cavaliers are busy flying to Minnesota for Tuesday’s game against the Timberwolves, Kevin Love is off to get a second opinion on his ailing left knee.
The Cavs aren’t revealing much about Love’s injury at this point, saying only that he suffered “soreness and effusion [fluid buildup].” They won’t even disclose the results of the MRI or who is examining him. But there certainly remains a level of concern over the severity of his injury.
“I would love to be able to tell you that he’ll miss three games and be back,” Cavs General Manager David Griffin said. “But I can’t right now because we don’t know.”
If he missed only three games, that would take him through the All-Star break and have him ready to return when the Cavs get back on the floor next week. That might be a best-case scenario at this point. And while coach Tyronn Lue wouldn’t rule out Love still participating in next weekend’s All-Star game, that certainly seems in jeopardy at this point.
“Always concerned when guys are going down,” Lue said. “And we’re already limited as it is. Definitely concerned, but gotta see how he feels. Just get evaluated [Tuesday] and see how he feels.”
Channing Frye will start Tuesday against the Timberwolves in place of Love. Meanwhile, the Cavs cleared a roster spot Monday by trading Chris “Birdman” Andersen and cash to the Charlotte Hornets, who promptly released him.
Andersen is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Cavs received a “paper pick” from the Hornets, a second-round pick this season that is top-55 protected, which means the Cavs won’t realistically receive it.
This is simply a purge to clear a roster spot and alleviate the Cavs’ tax burden. The Cavs simply gave the Hornets enough cash to cover the remainder of Andersen’s salary plus enough on top to make it worth their while to fill out some paperwork.
While Love is out, Iman Shumpert could return to the floor after missing three games with a sprained left ankle.
Shumpert will travel with the team to Minnesota and participate in the morning shootaround. If everything checks out, he should be cleared to play.
“I can still feel it,” Shumpert said. “But it’s nothing where I can’t move around and get done what I need to get done.”
The Cavs practiced Monday, but Lue gave LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson the day off. The focus, meanwhile, remains on Love.
His absence could free up even more time for Derrick Williams, who has played well in his first two games. The Cavs already believe he will be part of their plans for the rest of the season and into the postseason, although they will likely sign him to a second 10-day deal before signing him for the rest of the season.
The Cavs signed Williams after working out another wing, Lance Stephenson, who ultimately signed with the Timberwolves, meaning the Cavs will see Stephenson Tuesday night.
Stephenson famously blew in James’ ear during the playoffs a couple years ago when Stephenson was with the Pacers and James was in Miami. Stephenson seems to have learned his lesson, though.
“That’s what, four years ago?” Stephenson told reporters in Minnesota on Monday. “I’m a different person now. I’m just trying to win. I’ll do whatever it takes to win, but I’m not going to use that method again.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.