Cavs Not Planning to Buy Out Contract of Kevin Love

The Cavaliers do not intend to reach a buyout agreement with power forward Kevin Love, despite some rumors to the contrary.

Cavs president of basketball operations Koby Altman met with reporters after Thursday’s trade deadline, saying he does not anticipate that a Love buyout is forthcoming.

Love, 34, has fallen completely out of the rotation, but by all accounts, has stayed positive in supporting his teammates, both from the sideline and at practice. The Cavs seem to know he could be needed again, particularly after the All-Star break as the postseason approaches.

For now, Love is averaging career-lows of 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in 41 games, shooting 39 percent from the field, including 35 percent on 3-pointers.

As a general rule, it’s usually non-playoff teams that will agree to contract buyouts with members of the roster. This season, that’s not the rising Cavs.

While Cavs such as Love and wings Caris LeVert and Cedi Osman heard their names spinning on the rumor mill, Altman elected to stand pat at the deadline.

“You could make deals, you can,” Altman told reporters. “There’s things you can land the plane on. Don’t just do something to do something. Let’s be very, very intentional with what we’re doing.

“We didn’t think anything really moved the needle for us.”

The Cavs have won four straight entering Friday’s road game against the Pelicans, and with the Nets tearing apart their roster, Cleveland should be in position to grab a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference.

Their game against the Pelicans is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Altman said there have been no discussions about a buyout with Kevin Love. Cavs know he wants to play and he may get another chance.

— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) February 9, 2023