Former Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love intends to sign with the Miami Heat once he is able to following his buyout agreement. The last member of the 2016 NBA Championship team requested a buyout just before the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend began and the Cavaliers worked to make that happen. Love had lost his spot in the rotation over the last 12 games as the team prepared for the Trade Deadline and the buyout market. Love will join the Miami Heat as they push to improve their spot in the Eastern Conference Standings to close the season.
After clearing waivers, Kevin Love plans to sign with the Miami Heat, his agent Jeff Schwartz of @Excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/c1Ff4tLfKP
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 19, 2023
This season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 38.9 percent and a three-point percentage of 35.4 percent. Miami did not add any players during the 2022-23 NBA Trade Deadline and needed depth to close out the season. Love could fit perfectly into their rotation this season as they look to prepare for the NBA Playoffs.
Heading out of the All-Star break, the Miami Heat are currently sitting at 32-27 which is seventh in the Eastern Conference Standings. They are ten games outside of the one seed and six games ahead of missing the 2022-23 NBA Playoffs. Love is experienced and has won an NBA Championship. Miami may not be viewed as title contender, but this move could help them move the needle in the playoff race.