The loss of Kevin Love has kept the Cleveland Cavaliers from having its second-leading scorer in the starting lineup for almost a month now. The All-Star forward has been sidelined with a broken left hand which he suffered in a game against the Detroit Pistons in January. It was a freak accident, one that he sustained after contact with the Pistons’ Anthony Tolliver.

He is expected to be out until mid-March at the earliest or just before April arrives at the latest.

There is no doubt that the Cavaliers are missing Love’s presence in the paint. Their recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs is one glaring example with LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol getting their way.

Plus, as a stretch four, Love could have brought Aldridge and Gasol outside the paint on offense, thus, opening up the driving lane for LeBron James, Jordan Clarkson, George Hill, and others.

Kevin Love
Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Even the Cavs’ win on Tuesday versus the New Jersey Nets showed that they were in dire need of Love’s services. He is averaging 17.9 points a night and leads the team with 9.4 rebounds per game. The UCLA Bruin alum could have pounded the ball inside with no one on the Nets team capable of consistently stopping him.

The Cavs need a big man like Love, who can both rebound and make his own shots. With some teams potentially getting rid of unwanted players, they can scoop up a key veteran that’s headed for a buyout.

The wine and gold have to hurry, though. The player would have to be waived by March 1st to be eligible for the playoffs.

Let’s look at some of their options.

Joakim Noah
ClutchPoints

5. Joakim Noah

Despite having an unpredictable season, Joakim Noah is still considered one of the most dominant big men when he is healthy. But as you may have noticed with that statement, just putting his name in the conversation involves a lot of variables.

Joakim Noah
Anthony J. Causi/NY Post

The New York Knicks forward has a hefty paycheck with almost $38 million owed to him by the franchise over the next two seasons and he may be an expensive buyout candidate this season.

Not surprisingly, Noah found himself in a dramatic situation with another franchise. He recently had a shouting match with coach Jeff Hornacek and he has been exiled from the team ever since.

Noah is only averaging 1.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists this season largely due to bouts with injury and locker room conflicts.

Joakim Noah, Jeff Hornacek

However, let’s not forget that this man once won Defensive Player of the Year honors and ranked fourth in the MVP voting in the same year. He is also a two-time All-Star. So if we’re talking about potential, there’s a lot of that in Noah.

According to reports, Golden State is interested in the 33-year-old center. Why? Because he is not only known for his defensive skills but also for his passing ability, something that the Warriors excel at. So, it comes as no surprise that the defending champs would want to get him.

Having said that, the Cavs should keep tabs on Noah despite the many ifs and buts that come along with signing the big man should he be bought out. That’s a big “if,” however, as Noah's value is now an unknown commodity for the league.

Kosta Koufos
Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press

4. Kosta Koufos

The Sacramento Kings backup center averages 6.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists this season. Not much of a stat line but he’s a serviceable and skilled big man. He has a player option to remain with the Kings next season for an $8.7 million paycheck.

darren collison kosta koufos
Sergio Estrada/USA TODAY Sports

The former Ohio State player is a 10-year veteran who had a 14-point, 14-rebound game against the Los Angeles Clippers and a 17-point, 17-rebound game against the New Orleans Pelicans this January.

Despite being a pricey buyout this season, Koufos is still considered as a durable center. He can not only secure rebounds but he can also run the floor and defend the paint. He has a knack for creating nasty, immovable screens which would be valuable to the Cavaliers’ shooters.

A tough big man like Koufos can be a valuable asset to the Cavs, bringing to the table a strong interior presence. The 7-foot center has played for Denver, Memphis, Minnesota, and Utah.

Maurice Speights
Cleveland.com

3. Marreese Speights

Marreese Speights is currently signed with the Orlando Magic for a $2.1 million, one-year deal. The former Warriors power forward is shooting 37% percent from three-point land the last three seasons.

Marreese Speights
The Canadian Press

His championship pedigree will make him an attractive buyout candidate. Plus, wouldn’t it be nice to pull off a Varejao-esque move on the Warriors? Andrew Bogut didn’t work out last year so maybe Speights will.

Another reason why the Florida native will be a great piece for the Cavs because of his ability to take charges. Speights is number six in the NBA in taking charges with 18 this season trailing only Kyle Lowry (28), DeMarcus Cousins (24), Kemba Walker (21), Ersan Ilyasova (20), and Quincy Acy (19).

“It (speaks to his basketball IQ) and it speaks to his finding a way to win,” Orlando Magic coach Frank Vogel said. “He knows that he’s not a pogo-stick shot blocker and that he’s got to get the job done with body position. He’s effective with it.”

Harry How/Getty Images

This season, he is delivering 7.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest. Additionally, he has knocked down 80 three-pointers so far this season. That’s an amazing statistic considering that he is playing only 13.3 minutes per game.

Speights would be an invaluable member of the Cavs even after Love returns to the team next month most especially come playoff time when the stakes are highest.

Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph
Getty Images

2. Zach Randolph

Still performing at a high level, Sacramento Kings big man Zach Randolph is contributing 14.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this season. Not bad for a 17-year veteran who also drills 2.3 triples a night.

Zach Randolph
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Cavs will definitely benefit from his scoring and rebounding abilities. According to Synergy Sports via Hoops Hype, Randolph “still places in the 82nd percentile as an isolation scorer and the 83rd percentile on put-backs.” That could compensate for some of the defensive lapses that Randolph is wont to do. The two-time All-Star will add more depth to the Cavs’ bench and more firepower, too.

Z-Bo just had a 29-point game against the Thunder last February 23. He also grabbed 12 boards and dished out two assists. He shot 12-of-23 field goals and 4-of-7 from deep. If he can do that at 36 years old, then whoever lands him if he gets bought out will clinch one of the best big man deals.

George Hill, Buddy Hield, Zach Randolph, Willie Cauley-Stein
AP Photo/LM Otero

Plus, Randolph has the prerequisite postseason experience to provide the Cavs with the much-needed veteran savvy necessary come playoff time.

The Kings are tied with the Atlanta Hawks for the second-worst record in the league as of this writing. How much worse could they be without their leading scorer and rebounder? They’d have a better shot at the 2018 number one pick, too, if they waive Randolph.

The Cavs could most certainly use the big man’s presence underneath the basket while Love recovers and the veteran big man still has plenty of muscle and might to give. Not to mention his grit and spirit.

Tyson Chandler
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

1. Tyson Chandler

Acquiring a champion is always a win-win for any team. The former Mavs center is producing 6.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 26 minutes of action this season. He may not produce the same numbers as before but he can still be productive despite limited minutes.

julius randle, tyson chandler
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

His defense is still his primary calling card, one that will prove to be even more valuable in the playoffs and could help Cleveland win more than a few playoff games.

Tyson Chandler is seen as a leader in the Phoenix Suns locker room. The numbers show it, too. The Suns are 13-17 when he and Booker play together but the team has lost nine straight games every time he has been out recently due to a recurring neck injury. He would be a great mentor for newly acquired power forward/center, Larry Nance Jr., who has yet to get a taste of postseason basketball, much less the bright lights of the NBA Finals should the Cavs make it that far.

Even San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had some nice words for Chandler earlier this February.

Devin Booker, Tyson Chandler
Jennifer Stewart/USA TODAY Sports

“He’s good for young kids coming on a team,” Popovich said. “He gives everything he’s got every time he steps out on the floor. He’s a great guy and a great example of a professional player.”

Pop even added that he has an overall demeanor that shows professionalism whether at practice, on the bus, or when he treats different people. Well, if Pop approves of him then it’s a no-brainer that he’s the top buyout pick for the Cavs.

Tyson Chandler
David Zalubowski/The Associated Press

Whoever the Cavs end up with among these five big men will be a good addition to the newly-revamped team. They have two NBA champs to choose from, a couple of reliable veterans, and a formidable center looking for a title-contender. One thing’s for sure, the Cavs are in dire need of a reliable backup big man and getting one can be the playoff game changer they need.