Love gets a buyout, reportedly eyes Heat
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 Cavaliers 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.
“Kevin represented the organization and the city of Cleveland with the utmost charm and professionalism during his nine seasons in Northeast Ohio,” Cavaliers 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.”
Unhappy that he had been dropped from the Cavaliers’ rotation this season, the 34-year-old formally requested a buyout last week. Love sat out Cleveland’s last 12 games before the All-Star break and there was little indication his playing time would increase anytime soon.
Love has been slowed by a thumb injury that affected his shot. He’s averaging career lows of 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 20 minutes per game.
The Cavaliers’ recent acquisition of forward and sharpshooter
Danny Green pushed Love even further down Cleveland’s bench.
But over parts of 15 seasons with Cleveland and Minnesota, Love has averaged 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds. He’s also a 37% career shooter from three-point range.
Love’s time with the Cavaliers had its ups and downs, but he’ll be remembered for his role in helping Cleveland overcome a 3-1 deficit to stun the Golden State Warriors in the Finals seven years ago to end the city’s 52-year title drought.
Love believes he still can play at a high level, and his postseason experience makes him attractive to any contenders.
“He knows how to win,” Miami center Bam Adebayo said. “He’s been in those battles.”
Other teams are expected to bid for Love, who is making $31.3 million, before he finalizes a decision, one of the people told the AP.
“Hopefully he decides to bring his shooting down to 305 so we can end the season on a very high note,” Heat guard Tyler Herro said, naming Miami’s area code.
Miami opened a roster spot by trading Dewayne Dedmon to San Antonio this month. Cleveland, which entered the break fourth in the East at 38-23, may not want to see Love end up with the Heat, a potential playoff opponent. Miami is seventh at 32-27, a half-game behind No. 6 New York.
Love’s departure ends his tenure with the Cavaliers that came during the team’s most successful run. He joined the Cavaliers after six seasons with Minnesota, which traded him for No. 1 overall pick
Andrew Wiggins.
Accustomed to being the only star in Minnesota, Love struggled to fit in with the Cavaliers while playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Ir ving.
However, over time he began to blend in as Cleveland won four consecutive conference titles after James returned.
When James left again, the Cavaliers locked up Love with a four-year, $120-million extension that didn’t sit well with some Cleveland fans. Love battled injuries while the Cavaliers won just 60 games over a three-year span.
CBA talks
Talks between the NBA and the union are continuing with hopes of getting a new labor deal done. The sides have until March 31 to decide if either wants to opt out of the current deal on June 30; that deadline already has been moved twice and can be again, if necessary.
Among the issues being discussed is a return to letting players enter the draft straight out high school without waiting a year and what the league considers an “upper spending limit” that would significantly tighten rules on how much teams can spend on player salaries.