Kevin Love is coming off his second year playing for the Miami Heat.

The former UCLA star finished the season with averages of 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest while shooting 44.0% from the field and 34.4% from the three-point range in 55 games.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Love will decline the player option in his contract and become a free agent.

Via Wojnarowski: “ESPN Sources: Miami Heat F/C Kevin Love is declining his $4M player option, but both sides are enthusiastic about negotiating a new deal in the opening days of free agency. The five-time All-Star has played the past two seasons with the Heat.”

Based on Wojnarowski’s reporting, it sounds like Love will likely end up back in Miami.

Love was initially the fifth pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and has played 16 seasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves (in addition to Miami).

He has career averages of 16.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.9% from the three-point range in 929 regular season games.

The 2016 NBA Champion has also appeared in 88 playoff games (80 starts).

He has been to the Finals five times in his career.

As for the Heat, they finished the 2023-24 season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 46-36 record.

They lost to Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in five games).

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The NBA offseason is here and teams around the league are looking to get better. The only team in the NBA that is content where they are at is the Boston Celtics.

They sent the Cleveland Cavaliers packing in the Eastern Conference semifinals so now the Cavs are looking to retool. They recently hired Kenny Atkinson to be the new head coach and are going to offer Donovan Mitchell a max, four-year deal for a $209 million extension.

But before we get there, the NBA Draft has to be officially wrapped up. In Round 1, the Cavs took California forward Jaylon Tyson, which was considered a reach by many draft experts.

With Round 2 kicking off today, Cavs GM Mike Gansey made it known the team is looking to get back on the clock.

In a press conference after Round 1, Gansey spoke with the media and said the team could be aggressive to get back on the board.

“Oh yeah. We’re gonna be aggressive.”

– Mike Gansey

The Cavs only had their first-round pick and are still looking to add some young talent. There are some quality playmakers available like Johnny Furphy, Tyler Kolek, Bobi Klintman, Kevin McCullar Jr., Bronny James and more.

Although these may not be the guys Cleveland is targeting, there are capable ballers still undrafted. Teams usually take guys with high ceilings or specific traits on Day 2. That could be Cleveland’s angle or they have their sights set on some impactful role players who can contribute right away.

One thing that’s certain is that Cleveland will be working the phones to get back on the clock.

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