NBA Rumors: Miami Heat leading the race for Kevin Love; how does it impact their depth chart and starting 5?
The Miami Heat are the favorites to sign 5-time All-Star Kevin Love after he was bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
At the age of 34, Kevin Love was having a successful season with the Cavaliers. He started just thrice but had 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists despite playing only 20.2 minutes per game. Love has always been an efficient shooter and has an overall efficiency of 51.1% this season.
The Miami Heat are currently 7th in the Eastern Conference with a positive 32-27 record. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, are 4th in the East but have forced Kevin Love out of rotation in recent weeks. The player suffered a thumb injury after a bright start to the season, but the recent return to fitness of Ricky Rubio and Dean Wade has further forced him out.
The signing of Danny Green was the final nail in the coffin and led to the buyout request from Love. Kevin Love is highly versatile and has been with the Cavaliers since 2014. The following article looks at his overall fit with the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat have emerged as leaders to sign five-time All-Star Kevin Love after he completes buyout with Cleveland, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Interested teams believe Miami's ability to offer a defined role and playoff positioning are leading factors.
Can Kevin Love be a starter for Miami Heat?
The Miami Heat needed shooters and Kevin Love brings that. The team has depended on basically the same shooters since the last season. However, most players have seen a steep drop-off in efficiency, including the likes of Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent.
Furthermore, the injury to Caleb Martin earlier this season has also taken a toll on his attacking gameplay. The 27-year old was averaging fewer points last season but that was due to fewer minutes. This time around, he has started 49 of the 49 games he has appeared in and is only shooting at 53.3% overall, from 58.5% last season. Martin was shooting at more than 41% from the 3-point zone last season, but his efficiency has dropped to 36.1% this time around.
Considering the fact that Martin has started most games at PF alongside Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love might fancy his chances of becoming a regular feature in the starting lineup. Martin’s defensive skills mean that Love might be used as a second fiddle, or a shooter off the bench who can help the Heat maintain their scoring avenues in the coming months.
Kevin Love will always have The Stop in Cleveland history. What a moment. https://t.co/nJBGckkFQ7
Love is producing some career-low numbers with respect to ppg and rebounds. However, that is down to his reduced playing time for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Given more regular time at the Heat, Kevin Love might as well find a place in the Miami Heat’s starting lineup.