Kevin Love may soon be getting his freedom.
The five-time NBA All-Star big man Love is expected to be bought out or traded by the Utah Jazz soon, Sam Amico of Hoops Wire reported on Monday. A move could be happening within two weeks, Amico adds.
Love, now 37 years old, went from the Miami Heat to the Jazz as part of the three-team Norman Powell trade with the LA Clippers in July. At the time that the trade happened, Love went viral for his ruthless reaction to the news.
The Jazz are a rebuilding team that went a miserable 17-65 last season, so they are obviously not a match for Love at this point of his career. Meanwhile, a two-week timetable would mean that Love still has plenty of time to get accustomed to his new team before the start of training camp at the end of September.
While a trade would be a straightforward outcome, if Love goes down the buyout route, he will have to give up part of the $4.2 million that he is currently owed for next year. That said, he would easily be able to recoup that money, even on a minimum deal with another team (as Love has over 10 years of NBA experience, meaning that his minimum salary figure for next season would be worth roughly $3.6 million).
Last month, we heard that Love, who averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in just 10.9 minutes per game last season for the Heat, had one preferred destination in a potential buyout scenario. Now it appears that the former NBA champion is one step closer to getting his wish.
