Jazz Expected To Buy Out Kevin Love Following Trade

It’s been a great run for Kevin Love, but he’s not likely to ever suit up for the Utah Jazz.

This despite the trade that sent Love from the Miami Heat to the Jazz (and John Collins from Utah to the Los Angeles Clippers, and guard Norman Powell from the Clippers to the Heat).

Instead, Love has a $4.15 million expiring contract, and the Jazz are expected to buy it out, sending him into free agency. And while he seemingly has little left in the basketball tank, someone will almost assuredly sign him.

Love, who turns 37 in September, averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds last season, shooting 35.7% from the field, 35.8% from beyond the arc and 69.6% from the free-throw line. Those are all career lows.

“Never thought I’d be a math problem,” Love posted to X after news of the trade. “Welcome to the NBA.”

A five-time All-Star, he has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and Heat. Overall, he carries career averages of 16.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 952 NBA games. 

Love helped the Cavs win the 2016 championship against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.

He will probably get linked to the Los Angeles Lakers since former Cavs teammate and friend LeBron James is there. Love and James have been seen working out together this summer at NBA trainer Chris Brinkley’s gym in New York.

For the Jazz, the move was made to give themselves more financial wiggle room.

“They have plenty of tax room for more salary dumps,” wrote NBA cap specialist Yossi Gozlan. “Lauri Markkanen is now the only veteran holdover from previous seasons.”