Kevin Love on opt-out rumors: 'I'm a Cleveland Cavalier long term'
Kevin Love addressed rumors of him leaving Cleveland by insisting that he's a Cavalier for the long term, during an interview on ESPN's Mike and Mike radio show.
Love joined LeBron James and Kyrie Irving after being traded to the Cavs from the Timberwolves during the summer. Despite the preseason hype, the Cavs got off to a 1-3 start. Cleveland's underwhelming performance has fueled speculation that Love would opt out of his contract after the season, but he reassured fans that he was committed to the Cavs.
"Since I was traded to Cleveland during the summer, I said since day one I’m a Cleveland Cavalier long term," Love said on Wednesday. "I plan for it to be that way, and I want to grow with this team.
"If I could end all the speculation now I would, but people are going to continue to talk no matter what. I just want to continue to get better with this team long term. I’m a Cavalier."
• GOLLIVER: Trends: NBA's most dominant five
Love has averaged 17.9 points and 9.5 rebounds this season after putting up 26.1 points and 12.5 rebounds last season for the Timberwolves. Late last month, he said he was still trying to find himself in first-year head coach David Blatt's offense. He has played better recently, averaging 25.3 points and 8.3 rebounds over his last three games.
After opening the season 5-7, the Cavaliers have won four straight games. They play the New York Knicks on Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
• GOLLIVER: Durant shows flashes in season debut
- Danielle Zhu
