BREAKING: Former NBA Champion Finalizing Buyout With Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers are finalizing a contract buyout and the two sides will be parting ways after a nine-year partnership, according to The Athletic.
A nine-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA talent, Love was also one of the stars of the Cavaliers 2016 championship team.
Now in his 15th NBA season, the 34-year-old big man is nearing the end of the line in his career and after falling out of Cleveland's rotation in late-January, Love quickly became one of the key names many around the league were watching in regards to the buyout market.
Once he becomes a free agent, the Miami Heat are expected to heavily pursue the veteran, but plenty of other playoff contending teams could look to sign Kevin Love.
The Golden State Warriors are a team that has been rumored to be interested in adding some frontcourt help and other teams like the Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics could look to target Love for added depth.
Having just 14 players under contract following the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers are another team that could have interest in Love, especially given his relationship with LeBron James dating back to their days in Cleveland together.
Acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of the start of the 2014-15 season, Kevin Love was sent to the Cavaliers in a three-team deal that sent former first overall picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett to the Timberwolves.
Agreeing to a four-year, $120 million extension when LeBron left for the Lakers in 2018, Love is now in the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
According to The Athletic, the Heat have emerged as a suitor for Love given the fact that they have an open roster spot and have been looking for a new big man to fill minutes behind Bam Adebayo in their rotation, especially after they traded Dewayne Dedmon at the trade deadline.
Playing in 41 games this season, Love has averaged just 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 35.4 percent from three-point range.
For his career, Love has averaged 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 27.2 percent from three-point range.
With Reggie Jackson, Terrence Ross and Danny Green highlighting the list of those who have already finalized buyout agreements and signed with new teams, Kevin Love becomes the best player available in the buyout market for any contending team to sign.
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