The Heat and big man Kevin Love have agreed to a new deal, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). Love will sign a two-year contract worth over $8MM, sources tell Charania. The agreement doesn’t include an option year, tweets Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel.
A minimum-salary contract for Love would be worth in the neighborhood of $7MM, so it sounds like Miami is going a little higher than that to bring him back.
Love, 35, initially joined the Heat on the buyout market during the second half of the 2022/23 season and played a key role on the team that made the NBA Finals that spring. He re-signed with Miami a year ago and averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16.8 minutes per game across 55 appearances (five starts) in 2023/24.
Love held a player option for the 2024/25 season that he decided to turn down on Saturday. That option was worth just north of $4MM, so it appears he’ll be back for around the same price, with an extra year tacked onto his new contract.
Love will provide depth in a frontcourt headed up by star center Bam Adebayo. Big man Thomas Bryant is an unrestricted free agent and Orlando Robinson has a non-guaranteed salary for 2024/25, but the Heat added a center in the draft by selecting Kel’el Ware out of Indiana.
Good news for the HEAT.
Let’s go. As I’ve said, He has been awesome, and I hope he ends his career here
Still super disappointed in drafting Ware at 15…
I was hoping for a Lebron reunion, but I’m glad he’s somewhere he’s valued.
Getting Kevin Love for 2 years $8 million is great value!! From what he gives you on and off the court. He brings championship pedigree and high character and leadership and professionalism. He can finish his career on a first class organization. He’s going to be a blessing in disguise for Kel’el Ware.