We are officially one month removed from the conclusion of the 2024-25 Miami Heat season, which was one of the worst since the turn of the century. Over the next several (week)days, we will be reviewing how each Heat player performed throughout the 2024-25 season, recapping important numbers, best game(s), and their future outlook with the team. Today, we will be reviewing veteran forward, Kevin Love!
Let’s dive into it, shall we?!?
- Bam Adebayo
- Kyle Anderson
- Alec Burks
- Tyler Herro
- Haywood Highsmith
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.
- Keshad Johnson
- Nikola Jovic
- Pelle Larsson
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Brief Overview:
2024-25 stats (23 games):
- 5.3 PTS
- 4.1 REB
- 1.0 AST
- 35.7 FG%
- 35.8 3P%
- 10.9 MPG
After a postseason, and season in Miami where Love contributed in key moments and became a fixture in the rotation, things changed dramatically this season. Love played his lowest minutes per game ever at 10.1 MPG in just 23 games. Looking at his statistics you would have thought that father-time finally caught up with Love and that the former double-double beast was approaching the end of his journey. For Love, that’s not really the case.
Kevin Love spent significant time away from the team this season because his father was ailing, missing approximately 22 games because of personal reasons. His last game played was on the 22nd of March. Kevin’s father, former NBA Player and teammate of Pat Riley died at the age of 76 while Miami was competing in the playoffs. During all of this, Kevin and his wife Kate Love also welcomed their second child into the world in late February. So it’s suffice to say that basketball took a backseat this season for Love, and rightfully so.
Because of so much time missed KLove never really cracked the rotation or cemented his previous role of backup center. Still, he was a great locker-room presence when he was around and a welcome voice of levity on social media during Jimmy’s tumultuous exit from the Heat. At 36, Kevin has slid into a Udonis Haslem role of sorts, but there are still flashes when he is playing of what made him so great for so long.
Tim Reynolds has reported that Love will be returning to the Heat next season and hopefully will be able to contribute meaningfully and go out on his own terms if that’s what he wishes.
Numbers To Note:
10.9 – Love’s lowest minutes per game ever. Love played about 17 minutes a game last season and was a steady veteran presence on the floor for the most part with his ability to space the floor and shoot from the outside. While he was able to bring most of that to the table this season, his absences made it hard to crack the rotation, and some defensive mismatches forced him out of games early.
35.7 – The lowest field goal percentage of Love’s career. This obviously was not a good sign, but to me a telltale sign of not knowing the offense as well as years past. That coupled with a lack of reps, creates a recipe for disaster. I don’t expect this to be a trend that continues.
10 – The amount of Instagram posts Love dropped during the Jimmy Butler saga. While hard to quantify into on-court success, they gave the fanbase much-needed laughs in what was otherwise a horrific saga and the end of a great era in Heat history.
Best Game?
This was not a tough choice, Love’s best game of the season came against the Pacers in November where he dropped 15 points in less than 5 minutes. This showed that he still has the juice when his shot is falling, even against a team that will be playing in the NBA Finals in just a few days.
What’s next:
I expect Love’s role to be a little larger next season, more similar to his 2023-2024 season. He can still impact games, just in more of a reduced role compared to his All-Star and Championship years. His value comes through his locker room presence, and experience. It’s easy to forget that Love was one of the premier players in the league for many many years. He’s seen it all, and with the Heat’s locker room so young his wisdom is a luxury that the Heat desperately need.
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If he opts in, Miami should try to trade him (maybe to Cleveland so he can retire there) or offer to a) buy him out at 50% so he may either possibly land somewhere else or b) offer to buy him out at 50% and ask him to remain with the organization as a consultant.
Love is a good person, but if he wanted to do what is best for the team, he would’ve opted out. His money is better spent elsewhere.
Yup a wasted roster space like ud was for years