Love agreed Sunday with the Heat on a two-year deal worth over $8 million, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
On Saturday, Love declined his $4.03 million player option for the 2024-25 season, but he'll remain with Miami after quickly coming to terms on a two-year deal. The 35-year-old made 55 regular-season appearances for Miami in 2023-24, averaging 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16.8 minutes per game. He'll look to fend off rookie first-round pick Kel'el Ware for the primary backup role behind starting center Bam Adebayo.
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Kevin Love: Testing free agency
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Love declined his $4.03 million player option for the 2024-25 season Saturday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Though Love will hit the open market, he and the Heat are optimistic about negotiating a new deal in the opening days of free agency. The veteran big man has carved out a nice role off the bench in Miami, where he has been productive in relatively short-minute stints. Overall, Love averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 triples across 16.8 minutes in 55 appearances in 2023-24. If Love does in fact re-sign with Miami, he'll face a new challenger for the top backup role behind starting center Bam Adebayo, as the Heat used its first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Indiana big man Kel'el Ware.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Barely noticeable Monday
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Love amassed zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist in six minutes during Monday's 102-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Love logged just six minutes, failing to have any sort of real impact against an impressive Celtics squad. At this point in his career, Love doesn't have enough in the tank to provide Miami with meaningful production. As has been the case for the last few years, Love will not be a viable fantasy option next season.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Provides quality bench minutes
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Love supplied 16 points (2-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 10-10 FT), seven rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes during Friday's 112-91 Play-In Game win over the Bulls.
Love didn't make much of an impact until the second half, and his veteran presence aided Miami in maintaining a big lead down the stretch. The 35-year-old totaled 11 points, six rebounds and one assist in eight second-half minutes. Love could see his role increase heading into the Heat's opening-round series against the Celtics given his extensive postseason experience.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Cleared for Wednesday
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Love (arm) will be available Wednesday versus Philadelphia, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love will join Caleb Martin and an otherwise inexperienced cast of forwards in Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez for Miami's postseason rotation Wednesday. Love averaged 6.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.0 minutes across 20 games in the 2023 playoffs.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Leaves Sunday's game early
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Love won't return to Sunday's matchup against Toronto due to left upper arm contusion.
Love played three minutes of Sunday's game before suffering the injury. The Heat need to win and a few things to break their way if they hope to avoid the Play-In Tournament. If they do, the veteran Love will have a full week to rest before attempting to suit up again.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Available to play Tuesday
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Love (ankle) is available to play Tuesday against the Hawks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Love was among several Heat players who were listed as available for Tuesday's contest, a list that also includes Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic and Orlando Robinson. Love has averaged 6.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 14.0 minutes through four April games.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Listed probable for Tuesday
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Love is probable for Tuesday's game against the Hawks due to a left ankle sprain.
Love's minor ankle issue isn't expected to keep him sidelined for Tuesday. The veteran has averaged 6.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 14.0 minutes through four April games.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Tallies double-double off bench
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Love posted 11 points (5-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt), 16 rebounds and four assists over 19 minutes in Thursday's 109-105 loss to Philadelphia.
Love played in just under 20 minutes off the bench, but he owned the glass while leading all players in Thursday's contest in rebounds to go along with a quartet of assists in a double-double performance. Love set a new season high in rebounds, posting his second game with 14 or more boards. The veteran has now recorded five double-doubles this year, four of which have occurred while coming off the bench.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Draws back into rotation
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Love (heel) logged 15 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's 109-99 win over the Knicks, finishing with eight points (2-8 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one block.
Love missed more than a month with a heel contusion before being cleared for game action last weekend, but he didn't get off the bench in wins Friday over the Trail Blazers and Sunday over the Wizards. After getting some more practice time under his belt, however, Love re-entered the rotation Tuesday as starting center Bam Adebayo's primary backup. Thomas Bryant, meanwhile, didn't play in a coach's decision after receiving double-digit minutes in nine of the Heat's previous 10 contests.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Available vs. Portland
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Love (heel/personal) is available for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love will be able to put an end to his lengthy absence, as he's available for the first time since Feb. 27. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Heat manage his workload during his first game back.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Officially probable
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Love (heel/personal) is probable for Friday's game against Portland, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love missed Thursday's practice for personal reasons and continues to manage a heel issue but should still suit up Friday, which would mark his first appearance since Feb. 27. If the veteran is cleared to suit up, he'll presumably handle a limited role off the bench.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Expected to play Friday
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Coach Erik Spoelstra said Love (heel) didn't participate in Thursday's practice due to personal reasons but is expected have his status upgraded for Friday's game versus the Trail Blazers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love hasn't played since Feb. 27 while dealing with a right heel contusion. However, if the veteran forward is upgraded to available Friday, he will likely continue to serve as Miami's backup center to Bam Adebayo.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Ruled out for Tuesday's game
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Love (heel) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Love was questionable for Tuesday's matchup, but he'll be unavailable again as he manages a heel injury. However, he'll have a few days to rest before the Heat face the Trail Blazers on Friday.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Ruled out for Sunday
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Love (heel) will remain sidelined for Sunday's game versus the Cavaliers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love last played Feb. 27 and has subsequently missed 12 straight games. The veteran big man's next chance to return to the court will come Tuesday against the Warriors.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Will remain sidelined Friday
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Love (heel) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans.
Love hasn't suited up this month due to his heel injury. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to action.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Out again Wednesday
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Love (heel) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love has been sidelined since Feb. 27. Wednesday's contest concludes a four-game road trip, so the veteran's next chance to suit up will come at home against the Pelicans on Friday. However, the team hasn't updated his expected return timetable.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Remains out Monday
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Love (heel) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Love is slated to miss a 10th straight game due to a right heel contusion. Thomas Bryant should continue to serve as the primary backup center to Bam Adebayo until Love is cleared to return.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Remains out Sunday
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Love (heel) is out for Sunday's game against Detroit.
Love will miss his ninth consecutive game Sunday due to a right heel contusion, and his status is murky as Miami closes a back-to-back Monday against Philadelphia. Thomas Bryant has served as the Heat's backup center in both of the past two games and should remain Bam Adebayo's top understudy for as long as Love is sidelined.
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Heat's Kevin Love: Won't play Friday
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Love (heel) won't play Friday against Detroit, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Love didn't accompany the Heat to Detroit for the start of their four-game road trip, and though he could theoretically rejoin the team for any of its ensuing three games of the trip, he's more likely to remain back in Miami with Tyler Herro (foot) as both players complete their rehab programs for their respective injuries. Thomas Bryant served as the top backup to starting center Bam Adebayo in Wednesday's 100-88 loss to Denver and will likely hold down that role until Love is ready to return to action. Love hasn't played since Feb. 27 due to a right heel bruise.