Miami has emerged as the leading suitor to sign five-time All-Star forward Kevin Love, The Athletic reported Saturday.
The report says the Heat can offer Love, who first needs to complete his buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers, “a defined role and playoff positioning.”
Love, 34, is averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 41 games (three starts) in his ninth season with the Cavaliers.
He owns career averages of 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 853 games (662 starts) for the Minnesota Timberwolves (2008-14) and Cavaliers.
Love, who is the last remaining member from Cleveland’s 2016 NBA championship team, is in the final season of a four-year, $120 million extension signed in 2018. But he has fallen out of the rotation for the Cavaliers and hasn’t played since Jan. 24.
The Heat (32-27) entered Saturday with the No. 7 playoff position in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the New York Knicks for the final guaranteed postseason spot.
–Field Level Media