Jazz's bold Kevin Love strategy could explain controversial move

The Kevin Love is underway for the Utah Jazz... or is it? While it was already surprising enough that the Jazz decided to keep Love, he has actually been a preseason body, and he hasn't looked too bad. There has been legitimate speculation that the Jazz are showcasing Love in a potential trade, and they may succeed in their hopes of bringing back KJ Martin.

NBA Insider Jake Fischer revealed after Love's first preseason game that many believe Utah is trying to showcase him for anyone who may want some frontcourt depth.

"If there is any trade situation to monitor at present in Utah, it's the future of veteran forward Kevin Love. The Jazz allotted a healthy 20 minutes of playing time to the 37-year-old in Wednesday's exhibition loss to Houston. As with the Knicks starting Pacome Dadiet in their first exhibition game of the new season in Abu Dhabi, Love's playing time led several rival teams to wonder if the Jazz were already showcasing him for potential suitors before the regular season even starts," Fischer wrote.

The Jazz don't really need someone like Love on the team. Waiving him wouldn't have cost that much in dead money, but it was a savvier move to keep him and waive Martin, who was owed $8 million on a nonguaranteed contract.

If Utah can boost Love's value a bit, that could get a playoff contender to bite on a Love trade. If that happens, that could lead to Utah bringing back Martin. Martin is younger than Love, is more athletic, and frankly, has more to give than Love can at this stage of his career.

It's not like he flat-out dominated as a Jazzman, but he was good enough for Utah to keep him around for when they are undermanned. They may have waived him anyway whether they had Love or not, but it was clear their main priority was getting rid of Love before they waived Martin. If they find a taker for Love, don't be surprised if Martin is back in Utah.

The telling detail that would imply the Jazz may bring Martin back

Martin's not a star, but what should breed curiosity is the fact that since the Jazz waived him, no one has picked him up. One theory that makes sense is that Utah let him know that the plan is to bring him back if and when they find someone who wants Love.

For the record, this wouldn't be a bad plan because Love has looked solid in the two preseason games he's played. In only 36 minutes combined over two games, he's put up 20 points, nine rebounds, and two assists while shooting a perfect five-for-five from the field.

It's possible Love will stick around with the Jazz, but because this season will be more about developing their young players, the only reason why they would play Love as much as they have during preseason would be because that's the only time they can play someone like him and not worry about stunting their young players' growth.

It's not like Love being in Utah is problematic at all, but it would make all the sense in the world if he's on another team soon enough and Martin's back on the Jazz's roster because of it.