NBA Rumors: Miami Heat interested in Kevin Love following contract buyout
Kevin Love’s tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers could come to an unexpected end. The 2016 NBA champion and the Cavs are reportedly nearing a buyout, which will allow Love to play for another team.
If and when the Cavaliers move on from the five-time All-Star, the Miami Heat could come calling. Pat Riley has an open spot, which is likely reserved for a big man who can immediately contribute.
The Miami Heat have emerged as suitors for Kevin Love, per @ShamsCharania. https://t.co/55YGUDXW0l
The Heat’s frontline has been decimated by injuries for most of the season and could use another big body. Miami traded backup center Dewayne Dedmon to the San Antonio Spurs a week ago. Omer Yurtseven hasn’t played the entire season due to an injury.
Erik Spoelstra has been running Bam Adebayo to the ground as the team’s only other center is Orlando Robinson. The rookie is averaging 3.9 points and 4.1 rebounds in 13.7 minutes in 29 games. He has been serviceable, but the Heat need much more from Adebayo’s backup to survive the loaded Eastern Conference.
Kevin Love will not play center and will likely continue to play around 20-25 minutes per outing. He remains, however, a solid rebounder and a 37.2% career shooter from behind the arc. If 42-year-old Udonis Haslem can provide quality minutes off the bench, Love should be a cinch to make an impact.
The 2010-11 Most Improved Player of the Year has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers for almost nine seasons. He was part of the 2016 team, along with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, that pulled off a titanic upset over the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin Love is playing the final season of a four-year contract he signed in 2019. He suffered a thumb injury earlier in the season and has been inactive since Jan. 26. The one-time rebounding champ is averaging career-lows in points (8.5 PPG) and rebounds (6.8 RPG).
Cavs and Kevin Love are finalizing a buyout, per @ShamsCharania, @ByJasonLloyd
End of an era. https://t.co/GCYGZSoVbM
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, might be looking for a younger wing player. Buying out Kevin Love might be their best way of doing that.
Love plays behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen but might feel like he can contribute more to a team who needs his specific skill set. The Miami Heat may just be the right team for him once a buyout happens.
The Golden State Warriors could also make a play for Kevin Love
Like the Miami Heat, the Golden State Warriors are urgently trying to upgrade their roster for a final push for the playoffs. The defending NBA champs are just 29-29 heading into the All-Star break and could use some help.
The Bay Area team has already traded for Gary Payton II to significantly improve their perimeter defense. Payton, though, will have to sit out for at least a month to heal an injury he supposedly took Toradol shots to numb the pain with.
Often a rival, once almost a teammate: @klaytheist11 makes the case for one Kevin Love as the ideal deadline buyout target for the Golden State Warriors.
Find out why Golden State could use some Love below!
⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/D68uRSXBsJ
The Golden State Warriors are also in need of size after trading James Wiseman. Kevon Looney and Draymond Green have been the bigs coach Steve Kerr has largely relied on this season.
Adding Kevin Love to the equation could be a game-changer for the Warriors’ title-repeat bid. The power forward can still jostle with centers and power forwards down the block and will be another outside threat opponents will have to deal with.