The Jazz expect Kevin Love to join them at training camp, Grant Afseth of RG.org reports.
Earlier this month, a report surfaced that the longtime big man was unlikely to begin the season with Utah as he sought pathways out of the organization, including a buyout. Love was dealt from Miami to Utah as part of a three-team swap in early July.
Love has an expiring contract, which will pay him $4.15MM this season, and it doesn’t seem likely he’d have a meaningful on-court role with the rebuilding Jazz. There have been instances in the past where veterans dealt under similar circumstances have not reported to the team.
However, according to Afseth, Utah has not engaged in serious buyout discussions with Love and is moving forward with the plan of having him report to camp.
Last year with Miami, he appeared in 23 games and averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, all career lows. The 37-year-old could be a valuable piece for Utah on two fronts, Afseth notes. He brings championship experience, professionalism and leadership to the table and could be a mentor for the team’s young core. His expiring contract could also prove useful in a trade.
Playoff-caliber teams are expected to continue monitoring Love’s situation, especially if buyout talks eventually gain traction and he winds up getting waived.
Would it be legal for the Warriors to sign and trade Kuminga into that $18.4M Jazz TPE?
Warriors S and T to the Jazz for 3/60 or 4/80, Warriors get Kevin Love, a first rounder and a huge TPE.
Take out Love and yes. Trades into TPE’s can only have one player involved. They could also do two simultaneous deals, one Kuminga for a pick, and then another that’s Love for a much lower pick.
No scratch that second one. Warriors would still be over the cap without Kuminga. Besides, Kuminga would never accept an $18m salary knowing he’d be playing for the Jazz for at least two seasons.
The cap logistics don’t work but why wouldn’t he want to play for Utah for two seasons? He’d most likely be a starter. Collier at PG Bailey at SG, Markannen at SF, Kuminga at PF and Kessler at C. From first hand experience I’ll admit living in Salt Lake sucks but he’d get regular minutes and a chance to prove himself.