Miami Heat big Kevin Love has declined his $4.0 million player option for the 2024-25 season, though the two parties plan to re-negotiate a new deal for Love over the next several days, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report Saturday.
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
After joining Miami on the buyout market in Feb. of 2023,Love, 35, signed a two-year, $7.8 million deal last offseason using his non-bird rights.
Love was one of the NBA’s best backup bigs last season, averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds on 44.0 percent shooting, including 34.4 percent from 3-point range and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. Being the Heat’s best backup center has been a low bar, but Love filled that role amicably, all things considered.
The former No. 5 overall pick led the team in rebounding percentage (20.7) and defensive rebounding percentage (34.5) a year ago. He showed signs of life defensively after a rough 2022-23 season plus he was a viable connector offensively.
If Love elected to re-sign with the Heat on a one-year minimum–worth $3.31 million–it would only account for $2.09 million on the Heat’s cap sheet, saving them roughly $1.93 million in 2024-25; if he re-signed using the two-year minimum, he’d be on the books for the aforementioned $3.31 million, saving Miami about $700K.
It’s worth mentioning that Miami does own Love’s early bird rights, which allows it to exceed $4.0 million per year over the next two seasons. Though the second year of that deal can’t be non-guaranteed nor can it be a team or player option.
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This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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I hope he comes back. I love that guy (no pun intended)
Get kelly o back same player.
Hes a west coast guy.Think he and leron finish careers together.Need younger more athletic big.
I’m sure they will work it out. Plus, a new 2 year deal means the second year would be guaranteed and neither party can opt out. Works for me. If it does not work out, Miami better consider keeping ORob until/unless a better option is available.
Holy crap! I did not expect this unless Love is giving some friendly discount, which I would be a bit surprised about.*EDIT* i missed that he is giving a little discount to get an extra year. That helps the Heat. Sweet!
Total surprise to me too. But he is exactly the type of player that would give the Heat a discount for the sake of the team.