3:46pm: The buyout is now official and Love has been waived, the Cavs announced in a press release.
“Kevin Love had an outstanding run with the Cavaliers, including memorable on-court moments, four NBA Finals appearances and an NBA Championship in 2016,” said president of basketball operations Koby Altman. “Kevin represented the organization and the city of Cleveland with the utmost charm and professionalism during his nine seasons in Northeast Ohio.
“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.”
11:07am: The Cavaliers and Love have completed a buyout, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). Wojnarowski confirms that Miami is the frontrunner to sign Love, but says he intends to talk to to the Sixers before finalizing a decision.
9:29am: The Heat have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Kevin Love once he finalizes a buyout agreement with the Cavaliers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
As Charania explains, other teams with interest in signing Love believe he favors Miami due to the Heat’s ability to offer a defined role, as well as their position in the standings.
The Heat are currently the seventh seed in the East, but have a three-game cushion on the eight-place Hawks and are within striking distance of the Knicks and Nets, the two teams directly ahead of them for the East’s final two guaranteed playoff berths.
Miami has been on the lookout all season long for power forward help following P.J. Tucker‘s exit in free agency last summer. Caleb Martin has served as a de facto starter at that spot for much of the season, but the 6’5″ wing lacks the size to match up with stronger, more physical fours.
Love, who has been out of the Cavs’ rotation and is said to be nearing a buyout, can’t replicate what Tucker did for the Heat last season, since he’s not as stout or as versatile defensively. But the 34-year-old can bring some size, scoring, and rebounding to a Miami team that ranks 26th in the NBA in offensive rating (111.1) and 27th in rebounds per game (41.4).
Love’s averages of 8.5 PPG and 6.8 RPG on .389/.354/.889 shooting in 41 games (20.0 MPG) for the Cavs this season are somewhat underwhelming, but he put up 13.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and a .430/.392/.838 shooting line in a similar role (22.5 MPG) across 74 appearances for Cleveland last season.
The Heat have an opening on their 15-man roster, so no corresponding move would be necessary to add Love, though there are still a few steps to go before the move can become official. The Cavs will need to formally buy out and waive Love, then he’ll spend two days on waivers. Once he become a free agent, Miami would still need to hold off a last-minute push from rival suitors to make things official with the five-time All-Star.
The Suns are among the teams believed to have interest in Love, while the Lakers were also reportedly “kicking the tires,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said during a TV appearance (YouTube video link).
would be an excellent signing for mia, jovic next year
Well he’s going to MIA
Lakers are title contender, Heat are not
Lakers next 3 road games
At Mavs
At Grizzlies
At Thunder
Lakers can still make the playoffs even if they lose all 3 games
Lakers look very good now
I listened to the morning radio, Lakers are championship team going forward
Lakers aren’t even making the Play-in
What is wrong with that guy? He’s clearly a bronsexual or a “L”akers fan.
Last time he played with BRON BRON his career came to a halt. Kind of like Bosh and Wade and AD. The egomaniac wants everyone but somehow doesn’t want them to have any headlines or success. BRON BRON is the best ever, just ask him
Kevin Love literally won a title with LeBron and the Cavs. He then immediately got overpaid on a massive contract. LeBron literally made his career, but haters will jump through the weirdest of hoops.
Wouldn’t say Lebron made his career. Kevin Love was a household name before Lebron. Has he stayed more relevant because of his Lebron ties yes. And when Lebron left Cavs did over pay Love just like the heat did Bosh when Lebron left. Love or hate Lebron he always made sure his teammates got the bag when he was there and when he left.
But he always put team in a rut doing that. Nobody want to trade for a player with a huge contract.
Don’t forget westbrook
The breakfast burrito is superior to the breakfast sandwich
You take that back!
Hahahaha, they aren’t even in a good place to make the play in tournament!
Watch the game!
After acquiring 6 young talents, Lakers look far better than defensive Championship Warriors now.
But what about the offensive Championship Warriors?
That’s your worst post ever
Are you crying that kevin love will not join your team lol
If he joined the lakers he would be bench warming the 3rd unit. Rui and Vando minutes will be affected. Idk how kevin will get minutes from those guys
To Silliman: You crack me up dude.
Lakers… Lol
Will he get any minutes?
did you read the article?
In a previous article it mentions the Cavs do not want him to sign with a team they might end up facing in the east playoffs. I’d be interested to see if that’s something they include in the buyout agreement
Maybe they can ask Love not to go there out of mutual respect but they really can’t enforce it from happening. He could go to any of the top 10 teams in the East and possibly end up facing the Cavs come playoff time.
If it was the heat wouldn’t be in the lead with him also talking to the sixers
He favors Miami due to their position in the standings lol? They’re currently the 7th seed.
It’s the best team that will give him minutes, which is obviously what he is looking for.
Oh I get that part but adding where they sit in the standings makes no sense. The Suns would seem like a better fit for minutes and conpeting for a ring. He could slot into their starting lineup next to Durant and Ayton or be their 6th man.
Warriors will go after him. Klay Thompson is probably on the phone trying to convince him.
Why would Love choose the Warriors over Miami or Philly who are locks for the postseason? With Steph still out for a while the Warriors are in real danger of not making the postseason. As for Klay convincing him, this isn’t little league anymore.
He would be a good fit. That mean he and Jermichal Green will have to share minutes. But he gives the warriors size, which is what they need
the Heat will make the playoffs but I don’t see them getting past the bucks and celtics
Ooooo Love is finally interested in making a Love Connection with the City of Brotherly Love… is Chuck Wollery needed?
It’s kinda sad that he feels he’s got a better path to a title than the Cavs as the #4seed? Not sure what to make of that.
He’s got a ring, he wants more time on the court.
Playing time is money
Let’s say I am 25 years young
If you give me 35 minutes and 25 shot attempts per game, I would be able to sign $100 million contract in summer
Shot attempts is money
Yes, and because he’s a free agent at the end of the season he wants to show he will be worth more than the minimum. Minutes in the playoffs can do that.
He’s a 5x All-Star and went from starting to DNP-CDs in a two-year stretch. Of course he wants out.
And still has like 85% shooting in Atlanta
I wonder how these “buy-outs” work? Do these players give up millions of dollars?
The player usually gives up the amount they’ll make back with a minimum contract with their new team.
The Heat have offered mins. Will it be enough. I’d go to Suns, if I was him.
I think Love may have a promise of minutes in Phoenix & Miami, but I guarantee that vet minimum he signs has an asterisk attached that says if he doesn’t fill the role, he will be benched. If that was a possibility, why not stay east where you have lived the majority of your adult life?
Miami having more use for Love than Cleveland is a bit of a head scratcher for me, but we’ll see.
Well, Miami has no reliable power forward and are thin at center. Cleveland has no minutes for Love. So what part makes you scratch your head? I mean Love is not the player he used to be but if he gives them 15 – 18 mins of Caleb and Jimmy not playing pf, even that’s a win.
Kevin Love would have added depth in Phoenix, in Miami Robinson is benched for shooting poorly. If Love doesn’t pick up his shooting and defense what is Miami using him for? And how long before he is benched? It is Miami, and they are fairly 1-sided with players.
As for Cleveland, not a part of the question really, just used as a similar comparison, but that wasn’t apparent I guess
Love can still shoot the three, his percentage this year was lowered by a broken finger. His defense will remind you of a traffic cone, but the threes from a power forward will spread opposing defenses. And once or twice a game he will grab a defensive rebound and fling a 3/4 court pass for a flying dunk.
If he hits that three, and facilitates he can help Miami.
I think he should go to Philly. He’ll get minutes at the backup 4 spot and play some 5. I always thought he would be a perfect fit next to Embiid.
Hawks need to sign him quick! He has dominated on Atlanta courts and can replace Collins soft a$s
Honestly shocked they didn’t find a deal to use his salary in a trade.
Doesn’t Love make something like $30 million? Which contending team will send out a $30 million Guy back to the Cavs? Which player are you proposing? Or team? In other words, not happening and obviously, did not happen.