NBA Rumors: 2 Teams Will Join Sixers in Market for Kevin Love

Kevin Love’s time with the Cleveland Cavaliers is officially finished. After spending the last eight seasons and 41 games this year with the Cavs, Love is set to become a free agent at the All-Star break as he reached a buyout with the organization as expected.

This season, Love came off the bench for 38 of 41 games in Cleveland. During those matchups, the veteran averaged 20 minutes on the court, draining 47 percent of his twos and 35 percent of his threes on five attempts from beyond the arc per game. Offensively, he averaged nine points. Defensively, he came down with seven rebounds per game.

A veteran forward/center with championship experience like Love should be a valuable piece on a playoff-contending team. However, a young Cavaliers squad hasn’t been able to find room for Love on the court lately, as he’s sat out the last 12 games.

The next time Love takes the court, it will be on another team. On Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the buyout between Love and the Cavaliers is complete. According to the NBA Insider, Love will consider talking to the Sixers during his upcoming free agency process.

Other than the Sixers, who else is in the market for the veteran?

Los Angeles Lakers

ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst mentioned before Love’s contract buyout was official that he was under the belief the Lakers were “definitely kicking the tires” and considering the possibility of adding Love if he were to finalize the buyout.

Well, it’s final. On one hand, there is the LeBron James connection with Love. On the other hand, the Lakers probably don’t have many minutes to offer unless Love is automatically prioritized over their recent trade acquisition, Rui Hachimura.

The way I see it, any player that either previously played with LeBron or is a notable name available, the Lakers will look into them. The same is going on here. You can never say never when it comes to NBA free agency, but Love to Los Angeles feels like a long shot.

Miami Heat

Multiple reports have deemed the Miami Heat frontrunners to land Love. For starters, they have an open roster spot, which means no follow-up moves would be necessary if they added him. Love’s best days are behind him, but Miami could offer the veteran a notable role off the bench.

For the last few days, the Heat have been rumored to be showing interest in Love. He might come with some injury concerns, but at the end of the day, the Heat just want to win.

Do they need rebounding? Do they need a reserve that can stretch the floor, posing as a three-point threat? They’ll consider Love. And if Love believes the Heat’s championship window is still open in a tough Eastern Conference, then he might be South Beach-bound any day now.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.