After being taken out of the rotation, five-time All-Star forward Kevin Love has talked about terminating his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a source close to the issue told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Love is in the last year of a four-year, $120 million contract.
The person who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing said that the 34-year-old hasn’t played in the last 12 games and his representatives have contacted the Cavaliers about the buyout.
Nothing has been resolved as of yet, but the parties anticipate speaking over the All-Star break, the source added.
Love has been in Cleveland since 2014, and as one of the NBA’s most adaptable big players, he played a significant part in the team’s 2016 triumph, the first major professional sports victory for the city since 1964.
Love’s buyout request was first published by The Athletic.
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Love performed well early in the season before a thumb injury slowed him down. Love’s minutes decreased after guard Ricky Rubio and big Dean Wade recently made their injury-related comebacks, and lately he hasn’t been in the rotation at all.
When the organisation signed veteran forward Danny Green when he became available via buyout, Love’s status grew murkier. In the defeat at Philadelphia on Wednesday night, Green made his debut while Love once again sat.
Koby Altman, the president of basketball operations for the Cavs, stated last week that he had not spoken to Love or his agents about a buyout and anticipated that he would once again play a significant role for the team this year.
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Love for continuing to be a good teammate and leader earlier this week in a similar manner.
Love last performed on January 24. Although being available, he hasn’t played in Cleveland’s last eight games despite missing two games due to back spasms.
Although he’s averaging career lows in points (8.5) and rebounds (6.8), Love may be able to catch on with a playoff-contending team looking for an experienced player. He went to four straight NBA Finals with Cleveland.
Since 2008, Love has averaged 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds. He played for Minnesota for six seasons before being transferred to Cleveland.
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