Love, Cavaliers finalize buyout as he eyes Miami
SALT LAKE CITY >> Kevin Love was the last link to Cleveland’s memorable 2016 championship. He’ll chase another title elsewhere.
The five-time All-Star and the Cavs completed a buyout of his contract Saturday, freeing the forward to sign with another team. Love is strongly considering a move to the Miami Heat, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Love, who was with Cleveland since 2014, must still clear waivers before he can sign with a new team.
Love’s departure ends his tenure with the Cavs that came during the team’s most successful run.
“Kevin represented the organization and the city of Cleveland with the utmost charm and professionalism during his nine seasons in Northeast Ohio,” Cavs president of basketball of operations Koby Altman said. “He also embodied everything a franchise would want in a player, and the admiration and gratitude we have for him will ultimately land his jersey in the rafters of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“We thank Kevin for his impact and wish him nothing but the best, knowing that he has solidified his place in the hearts of Cavaliers fans and this organization forever.”
Other teams are expected to bid for Love, who is making $31.3 million this season, before he finalizes a decision, one of the people told the AP.
RARE SUNDAY GAME IN UTAH AWAITS >> There will be an NBA game in Salt Lake
City on Sunday night, something that hasn’t been said for more than two decades during the regular season.
The Utah Jazz traditionally don’t play home games on Sundays out of respect to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known widely as the Mormon church. About 60% of Utah residents are Mormons.
But the Jazz are hosting the All-Star Game. The team said it didn’t have discussions with church officials about the plans to bring the All-Star Game to Utah. The NBA awarded Salt Lake City the game in 2019.
MLB HERNANDEZ LOSES IN ARBITRATION >>
Seattle outfielder Teoscar Hernández was among five players who lost their salary arbitration cases and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe won as teams finished
with a 13-6 advantage in decisions.
Angels infielder Gio Urshela, Tampa Bay relievers Colin Poche and Ryan Thompson and St. Louis reliever Génesis Cabrera also lost their cases.
Teams won the majority of decisions for the fourth straight year and have a 347-257 record since arbitration began in 1974. BREWERS SIGN WILSON >> The Milwaukee Brewers have signed left-handed pitcher Justin Wilson to a one-year contract with a club option for 2024 and placed righthander Jason Alexander on the 60-day injured list.
Alexander, who turns 30 on March 1, has a strained right rotator cuff. He went 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA last season while making 18 appearances, including 11 starts.
Wilson, 35, went 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in five April relief appearances for the Cincinnati Reds last season. He
underwent Tommy John surgery last June.
Wilson owns a career record of 33-24 with a 3.41 ERA and 18 saves in 527 relief appearances over 11 seasons.
NHL
BLUES, LEAFS MAKE TRADE >> The St. Louis Blues are looking to the future after trading captain and center Ryan O’Reilly along with center Noel Acciari to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
St. Louis acquired Toronto’s 2023 first-round draft pick and 2024 secondround draft pick and Ottawa’s 2023 third-round pick from the Maple Leafs along with AHL forwards Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette. Toronto also traded its 2025 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Wild for the rights to forward prospect Josh Pillar in exchange for the Wild picking up 25% of O’Reilly’s salary.