Kevin Love rejects player option

heat forward Kevin Love declined his player option for next season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Love will become an unrestricted free agent by declining his $4 million option.

Despite declining his player option, Wojnarowski reports that both sides are excited to reach a new deal in the early days of free agency. Love has spent the last season and a half with the Heat after being acquired from the Cavaliers before the 2023 trade deadline.

Love was one of the most underrated buyout pickups in recent years. He immediately settled into the role of veteran leader, averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 76 games with the Heat (22 starts). He was also a key part of Miami’s run to the 2022-23 NBA Finals, averaging 6.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 20 postseason appearances and hitting 37.5% of his threes (4.4 attempts).

Love, 35, is a five-time NBA All-Star and won one championship with the Cavaliers in 2015-16. He has played in 929 games (684 starts) and has career averages of 16.5 points and 10.1 rebounds. According to basketball-reference.com, Love has a 73.47% chance of being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.