Veteran power forward Kevin Love and the Cavaliers have not held any discussions about a potential contract buyout, sources told Hoops Wire on Friday, refuting an earlier report that the sides were making progress on an agreement.
Love, 32, is still owed $60 million over the next two seasons, and his future with the organization remains cloudy. Buyout discussions could possibly take place, but again, there have been no conversations to that end.
Sources outside of Cleveland did confirm reports of a three-team trade that will send Cavs forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Trail Blazers and Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen to the Cavs. (Full story.)
Earlier Friday, Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com cited an NBA source as saying the Cavs and Love were progressing toward a buyout, but that nothing was close. Hoops Wire referenced the report.
Love is coming off a season in which he appeared in just 25 games and averaged career-lows of 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists. A lingering calf strain is what kept him out of action.
It also impacted him during training camp with Team USA in July, resulting in Love leaving the team ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
The Cavs have held trade talks centered on Love since the end of the season, with only minimal interest from rival teams, sources said. One told Hoops Wire that there is “no trade market” for Love.
But with Markkanen now coming on board, the possibility exists that Love will move down the depth chart should he in fact remain in Cleveland.
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