Kevin Love is expected to extend his contract with Miami Heat

Miami Heat forward Kevin Love has said all along that he wants to stay in South Florida for the rest of his career.

He appears to be one step closer to that goal. On Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Love and the Heat are close to a two-year, $8 million deal. This will be Love’s second full season in Miami after being signed midway through the 2023 season.

Last year he averaged 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.

MARTIN, BRYANT PROBABLY ON THE WAY

Miami Heat players Caleb Martin and Thomas Bryant both declined their player options before the deadline.

They became free agents on Sunday at 6 p.m. Martin is the more important of the two, having been a rotation player for the past two seasons.

HEAT MAKES OFFERS TO SWIDER AND WILLIAMS

The Heat extended qualifying offers to Cole Swider and Alondes Williams on Friday.

Both players alternated playing for the Heat and their G League affiliate in Sioux Falls last year. Swider averaged 24.9 points for the Skyforce, a team-best total. Williams averaged 21.7 points, 7.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds.

J-RICH TAKES PLAYER OPTION

Josh Richardson will stay with the Miami Heat for at least one more season.

According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic, Richardson exercised his $3 million player option to return this season. Last year, Richardson was sidelined for most of the second half of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Richardson was a key part of Miami’s rotation before suffering a shoulder injury in February. He is expected to be fully recovered for next season.

Shandel Richardson is the editor of Inside The Heat. He can be reached at [email protected]

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