FEBRUARY 20: Love has officially signed with the Heat, the team announced (via Twitter).
FEBRUARY 19: Veteran forward Kevin Love intends to sign with the Heat after he clears waivers, agent Jeff Schwartz has confirmed to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
Miami had been considered the frontrunner to sign Love after he completed a buyout agreement with the Cavaliers on Saturday. However, reports at the time indicated that he hadn’t yet made a final decision, with Wojnarowski noting that the 34-year-old still wanted to meet with the Sixers. Now, following that conversation with Philadelphia, it appears Love has made up his mind (Twitter link).
The Heat were viewed as a logical landing spot for Love because they can offer him the ability to play a key role right away. Miami has been on the lookout for power forward help for months, following P.J. Tucker‘s exit in free agency last summer. Caleb Martin has been the 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 fell out of the rotation in Cleveland last month and played his last game as a Cavalier on January 24, can’t replicate what Tucker did for the Heat last season, since he’s not as stout or as versatile defensively. But the five-time All-Star will 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) at the All-Star break.
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 won’t have to make a corresponding roster move to sign Love, since they have two open spots on their 15-man roster following the expiration of Jamaree Bouyea‘s 10-day deal with the team. Even after signing Love, Miami will have one more opening to either bring back Bouyea on another 10-day contract, promote Orlando Robinson from his two-way deal, or sign someone else.
According to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press (Twitter link), Cody Zeller – who recently worked out for the Heat – has emerged as a strong candidate to fill that final open roster spot.
Having been officially waived on Saturday, Love will clear waivers on Monday, so the Heat are in position to sign him before their season resumes on Friday in Milwaukee. Miami has a portion of its mid-level exception and its full bi-annual exception available, giving the club the ability to offer Love more than the veteran’s minimum, but the terms of his deal haven’t yet been reported.
In addition to Miami and Philadelphia, the Suns and Lakers were among the other teams believed to have some level of interest in Love.
He’s a solid player but do not know why he stopped trying to be a perennial all star player so early in his career. He didnt do a jack yo earn his $120m contract, and now he becomes another journeyman.
Kevin Love has been a solid player his whole career. He’s going to get his number retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then he’s only played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now he’s on the Miami Heat and I think he can finish his career with the Miami Heat. This might be his last season in the NBA. Only three teams I wouldn’t necessarily call him a journeyman.
When exactly did Love stop trying to be the best player he could be? Just because he didn’t measure up to whatever you expected from him doesn’t mean he wasn’t trying. In reality, his numbers in Minnesota were inflated and then during his prime years in Cleveland he was the 3rd option to LeBron and Kyrie. Since then he has been injured a lot but has played well in a more limited role. But through all that his numbers per 36 have stayed around 20 pts and 12 rebs per game.
One bad inbounds play is all he’s referring to
Love this move by the Heat. From afar, sure looks like the addition of a huge piece that can help them
I just do not understand why the Heat went after Love when their offense is dead last in points scored? When the heat needs 3 point shooters and scorers.
Pretty easy to understand actually. First of all as the article above states the Heat do not have a big forward on their roster who can defend other bigs and rebound. He gives them size and rebounding. And despite what you seem to think he can also shoot 3s – most of his shots these days are from 3 and he is 37% for his career.
You are an endless Kevin Love sympathizer. Just stop commenting. You are living in the past…
I have said this would help them. Unfortunately for the Knicks. Heat are our competition now. Always liked Love. Only wish him well. Just don’t beat my Knicks…..
Is this official?
There is no hope for the Sixers?
As noted by his stats, he’s clearly a player in decline.
Really wanted the sixers to get him
Love will be a great fit on the heat. Hopefully they add a nother PG like Wall or Jackson.
Jackson is on the Nuggets.
Wall is toast.
Heat fans hoping their team signs John Wall.
What next?
This instantly makes the Heat exactly the same
Don’t forget Cody Zeller bro!
Today in NBA history …….. Feb 20, 2023
Knicks (33 – 27)
Heat (32 – 27)
If knicks get a 5-6 seed they have a shot at getting out of the first round.