Cavs’ Kevin Love reportedly planning to become free agent
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love reportedly plans to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent.
Sources told ESPN.com that Love on Wednesday notified the Cavaliers that he is opting out of his contract, worth $16.7 million next season.
The Cavaliers apparently were not surprised by Love’s decision and hope to re-sign the All-Star.
Love, who missed most of the Cavs’ run to the NBA Finals after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the playoffs, joined the Cavs after an offseason trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Love was playing in his first-ever playoff series when he dislocated his shoulder in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Boston Celtics on April 26. Boston forward Kelly Olynyk pulled down on Love’s left arm and yanked it out of the socket, forcing season-ending surgery.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Celtics are among the teams planning to make a run at Love in free agency.
Love recently said that watching the Cavs face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals reiterated his desire to win a championship with LeBron James in Cleveland.
Love was asked on June 5 if he wanted to return to the Cavaliers next season.
“Yes. I want to win,” he said.
Love averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 75 regular-season games last season.
