After four NBA Finals appearances and a 2016 NBA Championship, Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers have decided to go their separate ways. The five-time All-Star and the Cavs have finalized the player’s contract buyout, meaning he can now start thinking about his next professional engagement.
And according to two people who are said to have insider knowledge of the situation, Love is very interested in joining the Miami Heat. The individuals who insisted to stay anonymous told The Associated Press that the player was “strongly considering” the move.
By moving away Dewayne Dedmon to the Spurs, Miami will have no problem in bringing Love in, as trading away Dedmon freed up a place in the roster for the 2016 NBA winner. Other teams are expected to approach the Love too.
Cleveland Plans to Retire Love’s Jersey in the Future
Kevin Love joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 and helped the team win its first NBA Championship after the city had to wait for 52 years for it. He also played for the USA team that won the gold at the 2012 Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Cup.
In his time with Cleveland and Minnesota, Love averaged 17.2 points per game, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He was also 37% from behind the 3-point line. This season, though, his numbers are far less impressive, as he averages 8.5 points per game, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
The 34-year-old was in the last year of a four-year contract extension worth $120 million which he signed in 2018. Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman thanked him for all the memorable moments and said they would retire his jersey one day.
The Cavaliers are fourth in the Eastern Conference at 38-23, while the Heat entered the All-Star break seventh with a 32-27 record.
