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Cavaliers forward Kevin Love might be representing Team USA this summer.
As reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Love is part of a group that will make up the training camp roster for the 2019 World Cup. Training camp takes place Aug. 5-8 in Las Vegas ahead of the tournament, which takes place from Aug. 21-Sept. 15 in China.
Coached by Gregg Popovich, Love will be one of 18 players competing for a spot on a 12-man roster. Per Wojnarowski, New Orleans’ Anthony Davis, Houston’s James Harden and Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are also attending the camp in hopes of making the roster. The full list also includes Washington’s Bradley Beal, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell. Los Angeles’ Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, Houston’s Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker. Denver’s Paul Millsap also may attend.
Based on this roster list, Love would seem to have a good shot of representing Team USA. There aren’t a ton of big men there and it’s easy to envision him starting next to Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. For the Cavs, one would wonder if they want him to play in the World Cup considering the possibility he gets injured and misses a huge chunk of the season like he did last year. That being said, the World Cup will run until training camp is close to starting and maybe it will help Loveto play for Team USA as a warm-up for the 2019-20 season.
The last time Love played for Team USA was at the 2012 Olympics, where the Americans won gold. Love sat out the 2014 World Cup due to trade talks. Love was also on the gold medal-winning 2010 World Cup championship team.