Kevin Love Has Reportedly Told The Cavaliers That He ‘Plans To Return’

Kevin Love
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If Kevin Love is a man of his word, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ offseason could be much simpler than anyone has anticipated. According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, the three-time All-Star has reportedly told the Cavaliers that he plans to return.

Love opted out of his contract last week, lending further credence to months of unsubstantiated rumors that his blockbuster trade to Cleveland would ultimately amount to a one-season rental. But like that of LeBron James, his decision to hit the free agent market was more financial than anything else – Love’s initial maximum contract number under the 2015-2016 salary cap is approximately $3 million greater than the final season of his prior deal.

Despite that reality and his public insistence of a desire to play for the Cavaliers going forward, the majority still believed the 26-year-old would ultimately sign elsewhere next month. The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have long been considered front-runners to land him ever since the sweet-shooting big man’s displeasure with the Minnesota Timberwolves reached the point of no return during the 2013-2014 season.

Rest assured that the league’s glamour franchises and others will still chase Love in free agency, too. Assuming Cleveland offers him a max-level deal, though, expect Love to be back with the wine-and-gold in 2015-2016 – likely on a 1+1 contract that gives him the opportunity to become a free agent again next summer as the salary cap explodes to approximately $90 million.

Love is one of free agency’s biggest dominoes. Locking him up early in the process would certainly make things easier on David Griffin and the Cavaliers, hopefully dispelling any lingering whispers of James’ potential defection in the process.

We’ll find out on Wednesday just how quickly Love and Cleveland can reach a resolution.

[Via Sam Amico]

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