Love confirmed on Twitter on Sunday that he plans to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers, responding to a tweet by former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Tristan Thompson.
Nine seasons into his tenure with the Cavs, with whom Love went to four NBA Finals and won a title in 2016, the two sides reached an agreement on a buyout.
Love’s playing time had decreased, averaging a career-low 20 minutes per game, and he was averaging just 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 41 games (three starts) this season. That playing time wasn’t going to get a boost anytime soon after Cleveland added veteran forward Danny Green.
![Cavaliers forward Kevin Love warms up before a game against the Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 6, 2023.](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2023/02/19/USAT/ad24cb1c-fb15-407f-8206-542ad3711fa9-love0219.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Heat (32-27) currently stand as the No. 7 team in the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break, while the Cavs (38-23) are the conference’s fourth-ranked team.
Source: USA Today