Kevin Love declined his $4 million player option on Saturday, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, but is hoping to stay with the Heat. Per Wojnarowski, both sides are “enthusiastic” about negotiating a new deal in free agency.
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. pic.twitter.com/uXU3bR8xPP
Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2024
Love, a five-time All-Star, signed with the Heat in February 2023 after becoming a free agent mid-season, and re-signed with the team last July. The 35-year-old big man averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 55 games off the bench with Miami.
After six seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Love spent more than eight seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was instrumental in the team’s NBA championship in 2016. Love will be entering his 17th season with the league next year.