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Kevin Love completes buyout with Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat emerge as frontrunners

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra•02/18/23•

SamraSource

Kevin Love
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

It’s officially out with the old and in with the new in Cleveland, as the Cavaliers have completed a contract buyout of forward Kevin Love.

The former UCLA star was the last reminder of their championship squad from a couple of seasons ago. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first on the scene with the news, including the information that the Miami Heat are the frontrunners for Love’s services, but the Philadelphia 76ers will be interested as well.

“ESPN Sources: Kevin Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers have completed a contract buyout,” tweeted Wojnarowski. “The Miami Heat are a frontrunner to sign Love, but he plans to talk to the Philadelphia 76ers before making a decision.”

Moreover, Love started his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he was the face of the franchise for over half a decade. Then, he was traded to the Cavaliers in a blockbuster deal, helping the franchise win the first title for Cleveland in the lifetime of many of their sports fans.

Over his nine seasons with the Cavaliers, Love averaged 15.7 points per game. Of course, he’s not the same player he was at the beginning of his contract, but he can still provide a team with valuable leadership and some scoring off the bench.

At the moment, the Cavaliers are in fourth in a crowded Eastern Conference, while the Heat are in seventh and the 76ers remain in third. It’s a risky move considering Love could assist a team in defeating the Cavaliers, but it was one Cleveland is willing to make.

Nevertheless, Kevin Love will always be revered in Cleveland, and will likely never have to buy a drink in town again. He deserves his flowers for helping bring the Cavaliers a ring and not fleeing when times got tough, he’s earned at least that much respect.