NBA Rumors: Kevin Love Opts out of Cavs Contract, LeBron James Unlikely to Recruit
Kevin Love has opted out of his Cleveland Cavaliers contract on Wednesday. He will become a free agent on July 1.
Sources reported that the Cavaliers will try to re-sign the three-time All-Star even though he had an up and down season. This time around, however, LeBron James will most likely not be involved with recruiting the forward.
LeBron James won't be re-recruiting Kevin Love, I'm told. He believes Love understands he can be a part of something special. It's his call.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 24, 2015
Even without James' help, Cleveland is still reportedly the front-runner to sign Love. General manager David Griffin stated last week that the organization expects both Love and James to opt out of their contracts. Griffin then added that he expects both players to sign re-sign.
Adrian Wojnarowski with Yahoo! Sports noted that Love could be enticed by other teams, particularly the Boston Celtics who will try to get Love by pitching him Paul Pierce. The Celtics will reportedly get Pierce by pitching him Love. Love will reportedly look at the offers from both the Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sources: If Kevin Love goes forward with visits in July, expect Boston to sell him on pursuing group of Love, Robin Lopez and...Paul Pierce. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 24, 2015
Sources: Clips offering bench guys to gain trade exception to pay Pierce, but If Celts could get Love - Pierce is in play for Boston return. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 24, 2015
Opt-out sets up Love to sign extension w/ Cavs, but teams want crack at pitching him. Another suitor promising to be aggressive: Phoenix. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 24, 2015
Cleveland remains the frontrunner to sign Love to a five-year, $100M-plus extension, but Love could be willing to hear out Celtics, Lakers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 24, 2015
The Portland Trail Blazers recently joined the mix as well. The Blazers will reportedly pursue Love if LaMarcus Aldridge chooses to leave in free agency. The Cavaliers, however, still have the advantage since they can offer him "a five-year, $100M-plus extension."
Even though the Cavaliers can offer Love a max contract, the power forward might not be looking for one. Instead, Love could ask for a one-year deal so that he can hit the free agent market again next season when the changes to the salary cap are enforced.
Throughout the season, Love has stressed that he plans on staying in Cleveland.
On June 5, after Love suffered his shoulder injury, he was asked if he planned on staying in Cleveland next season.
Love replied, "Yes. I want to win."
This year was Love's first time in the NBA Playoffs. Even though his playoffs ended early due to the shoulder injury he sustained during the Boston Celtics series, the Cavaliers still made it to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors.
Despite Love's early troubles and difficulties fitting in, he still put up decent numbers, averaging 16.4 points with 9.7 rebounds. He averages 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in his career.
