Kevin shows Love for Cavs; Green stays with Warriors
NEW YORK—Kevin Love announced Wednesday he will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, with the 26-year-old power forward reportedly agreeing to a five-year deal worth $110 million to remain in Cleveland.
Love, obtained last year from Minnesota in a major trade, suffered a separated left shoulder in the first round of the NBA playoffs and could only watch as the Cavaliers lost to Golden State in the NBA Finals.
“I’m going back to Cleveland,” Love said on the Players’ Tribune website. “We’re all on the same page and we’re all in. We have unfinished business and now it’s time to get back to work.”
Golden State forward Draymond Green announced on Wednesday he has signed a fiveyear deal to stay with the NBA champions.
While earlier reports said negotiations had reached an impasse, Green posted a video on sports site Bleacher Report to say he was delighted to return to the organization.
“Proud to say that I’ll be a Warrior for at least the next five years,” Green said. “It’s been a long journey to get to this point. Always trying to overcome the odds, overcome doubters.”
Media reports said Green’s deal was worth $85 million.
Players can talk terms with clubs and make deals but no contracts can be signed until July 9, meaning most news will come from reports and unnamed sources until confirmations come next week.
In addition to Love and superstar LeBron James, who is a free agent but unlikely to leave the Cavaliers, Cleveland will welcome back guard Iman Shumpert and forward Tristan Thompson.
According to multiple reports, Shumpert agreed to a four-year deal worth $40 million while Thompson was expected to negotiate a deal worth $80 million for five years.
Paul Pierce reunited with Doc Rivers, who coached him to an NBA title with Boston, as the 37-year-old forward reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $10 million with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a five-year deal worth $90 million with guard Jimmy Butler, ESPN reported. Chicago also came to terms on a three-year deal with forward Mike Dunleavy worth $14.4 million.