Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers complete contract buyout agreement

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday finalized the agreement to buy out F Kevin Love’s contract.

Love, the 14-year veteran from UCLA, was in the final year of the four-year, $120 million contract extension he signed in 2018.

From the entire city of Cleveland and all of Ohio, thank you, Kevin. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tEoURUFHwx
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 18, 2023

Love spent 9 seasons in Cleveland after being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves following LeBron James’ return to Northeast Ohio in 2014.

Love, along with James and Kyrie Irving, became the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals, bringing the Cavaliers its first NBA title and Cleveland’s first major championship in 52 years.

Cavs President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman said Love’s No. 0 will eventually be retired.

The Miami Heat are frontrunners to sign Love, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, who also said the Philadelphia 76ers were also in the running to sign the now-released forward.

ESPN Sources: Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers have completed a contract buyout. The Miami Heat are a frontrunner to sign Love, but he plans to talk to the Philadelphia 76ers before making a decision. pic.twitter.com/9YKux1Svj2
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2023