Kevin Love isn't among the Utah Jazz's most important players, but it's been pretty clear how important he is as a veteran influence for their youngsters. While neither he nor the Jazz have to think about it right now, one can only wonder what his future with the team is because it sounds like Love wants to play for as long as possible.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Love discussed how much he loves his role with the Jazz (something he's talked about before) while adding that his plan is to play for as long as possible.
"I love it. And I think that this is a whole different challenge being here. I keep using the term ‘pay it forward’ to the young guys, but it's gratifying for me to show up every day, and I actually feel very good. Thirty years of organized basketball, my knees might tell me different, but I actually feel really good," Love said.
It was rather ambiguous as to whether his plans are to stick around in Utah. Regardless, Love acknowledged that his body can't hold up as well as it used to. Nonetheless, he's still willing to adapt to whatever role he can play.
"I'm not an 82-game guy anymore, but I like to go out there and put my best foot forward, and I love to play the game. Sometimes the business as we're speaking about can be little — you get traded or contracts come into play. There's definitely a lot there that is both good and bad, but I love it. The NBA's been very good to me, so I want to stick around as long as I can."
It sounds like Love is very aware that his career is winding down, which doesn't necessarily bode well for his prospects. However, he clearly wants to be a good influence not just because it keeps him in the league, but because he enjoys it.
Is Love what the Jazz need going forward?
Among all the speculation, the funny thing is, even though Love's primary role is to be a good example for the Jazz's young talent, the team has played him a lot more following the devastating Walker Kessler injury. They've counted on him more by necessity.
Assuming that by next season, Jusuf Nurkic will probably play somewhere else, one will wonder if Utah truly values his influence on the youngsters. Without repeating what has already been said too much, what can really determine whether the Jazz decide to keep Love will be where the Jazz stand at the end of the season in terms of the team's overall department.
If it's clear the Jazz's youth is ready to take that next step as early as next season, they may think it's better to use Love's open roster spot on someone who could get them to the playoffs. If it's clear they still need some time, they may keep Love around until they reach that next level.
It's not the most pressing subject for the Jazz at the moment, and no matter what Utah decides to do, there really isn't a wrong answer as to what the best decision is with Love.