Jazz Expected to Buy Out Former Cavaliers' Champion Before Start of 2025-26 NBA Season: Report

Utah could also elect to make multiple moves ahead of the trade deadline as they have had multiple players in trade rumors, including Markkanen.

While the Jazz could make moves ahead of the deadline, they are expected to make a key one before the start of the 2025-26 season regarding a former champion from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jazz Expected to Buy Out Kevin Love

According to Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, the Jazz are expected to buy out Kevin Love before the end of September.

This is a major report by Amico and one that is not a complete surprise as Utah has been expected to buy out Love before the start of the regular season if they are unable to find a trade suitor for him.

For Love, he was traded to the Jazz earlier this offseason by the Miami Heat in a three-team trade that saw Utah send John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers while the Heat acquired Norman Powell from the Clippers.

After landing in Utah, the 37-year-old forward has been in rumors as he was expected to be bought out by the Jazz before the start of the new season and with Amico’s report, it appears as though he will hit free agency soon.

Of course, Love is no longer the All-Star caliber player that he was earlier in his career but he would still be a solid addition to a contending team’s roster and he is still a solid option off the bench.

Last season, the former champion averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 35.7% from the field and 35.8% from three over 23 games with the Heat.

With Love now expected to hit free agency ahead of the start of the regular season, there should be many teams to show interest in him as a key veteran off the bench and in the locker room.