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Report: Wade was an instigator in Cavaliers' blowup over Love's absence

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Perhaps no member of the Cleveland Cavaliers' roster was more irate over Kevin Love heading home with an illness just minutes into an eventual 24-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 24 than Dwyane Wade.

The 36-year-old veteran was reportedly the first player on the team to challenge head coach Tyronn Lue at the following Monday's practice over Love's whereabouts, sources told Cleveland.com's Joe Vardon.

Love eventually explained what had happened, but only after a number of his teammates verbally laid into him over the legitimacy of his sickness.

It was originally reported that Isaiah Thomas was the one raising questions about Love.

This was all a precursor to a team meeting where everyone aired out their grievances, and fingers were pointed in seemingly every direction imaginable.

Wade's name was then being brought up in trade discussions shortly after the meeting, sources told Vardon. He was eventually moved to the Miami Heat prior to the trade deadline in exchange for a future second-round pick.

With the Cavaliers purging its roster, general manager Koby Altman knew Wade wasn't going to receive much playing time with the incoming youth at his position. This was apparently what facilitated the move, and not the meeting.

Love is currently out of action with a fractured left hand and will return prior to the beginning of the playoffs.

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