Cleveland Cavaliers Buying Out Former NBA Champion; East Contender Leading Suitor

After nine seasons, including two All-Star berths and one NBA championship, his days in the team's rotation are done. Now, 34-year-old Kevin Love is getting a buyout from the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Love are finalizing a contract buyout, sources tell me and @ByJasonLloyd.

Full details at @TheAthletic, including an Eastern Conference playoff contender expected to emerge as a suitor for Love: https://t.co/oyvrEdjsNe

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 16, 2023

Love hasn't played in the last 12 Cavaliers games, and Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the Miami Heat are a team that is expected to emerge as a prime suitor for Love's services on the buyout market.  

Kevin Love ends his career with the Cavaliers...

▫️ 9th in PTS
▫️ 3rd in playoff PTS
▫️ 6th in REB
▫️ 3rd in playoff REB
▫️ 2nd in 3PM
▫️ 3rd in playoff 3PM

He also made 2 All-Star teams, and most importantly, helped bring home an NBA title. Thank you, Kevin Love. pic.twitter.com/gMA6FbaepL

— ɴᴏᴛ (@georgemikan) February 16, 2023

Love was acquired by the Cavs in 2014, just after LeBron James returned to Cleveland, and proceeded to help bring the team its first-ever NBA title in 2016. His nine years there included the 9th most points ever scored by a Cav, 3rd most in playoff points, the 6th most rebounds, and the 2nd most three-pointers. 

Overall, Love is a 5-time All-Star with career averages of 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds, with a 37.2% mark from long distance. This season, after a thumb injury bothered him earlier in the year, he's averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 boards and 35.4% from three.

In addition to the Heat being interested in his services, we wonder if LeBron will come calling once again and try to persuade him to come to the Lakers...

Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports