The Cleveland Cavaliers may have missed out on bringing LeBron James back this off-season, but they have another All-Star that they are happy to be keeping around. On Tuesday, the Cavs agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension with Kevin Love, who was already under a five-year, $145 million contract this past year. He opted out of the 2019-2020 season, as official terms of this new contract were not released. Him opting out means that this extension will kick in at the beginning of the 2019-2020 campaign. He is scheduled to make $24.1 million next season.
After that, he will be making max salary at $28.9 million, followed by back-to-back $31.3 million seasons, before going down to $28.8 million in the final guaranteed year, which will be the 2022-2023 season.
Love announced the deal on social media, stating " Cleveland. Thank you. Let's get it." He reportedly took $8 million less than his full max, which could've had him making up to $35 million in annual salary. LeBron James did reach out on social media, congratulating his former teammate on the new contract.
The five-time All-Star would've been a free agent in 2019 if this deal had not been reached, but the Cavs still have hopes of staying in the playoff mix in the more wide open Eastern Conference. With James now gone, Love is a key ingredient for that process, along with their recent draft pick, Collin Sexton. Since coming to the Cavaliers a part of a three-team deal in 2014, Love has stepped up when it matters most in the playoffs, He has averaged 15 points and 9.7 rebounds in four separate trips to the postseason, all of which have resulted in Finals appearances.
He is coming off a season that saw him shoot 41.5 percent from three-point range. which was the second-highest in the league. Although, he played in just 59 games, which was his lowest total since the 2012-2013 season. He will be expected to take over the leadership role in this upcoming season, as the Cavaliers hope to take advantage of LeBron at least moving on the Western Conference.
After that, he will be making max salary at $28.9 million, followed by back-to-back $31.3 million seasons, before going down to $28.8 million in the final guaranteed year, which will be the 2022-2023 season.
Love announced the deal on social media, stating " Cleveland. Thank you. Let's get it." He reportedly took $8 million less than his full max, which could've had him making up to $35 million in annual salary. LeBron James did reach out on social media, congratulating his former teammate on the new contract.
The five-time All-Star would've been a free agent in 2019 if this deal had not been reached, but the Cavs still have hopes of staying in the playoff mix in the more wide open Eastern Conference. With James now gone, Love is a key ingredient for that process, along with their recent draft pick, Collin Sexton. Since coming to the Cavaliers a part of a three-team deal in 2014, Love has stepped up when it matters most in the playoffs, He has averaged 15 points and 9.7 rebounds in four separate trips to the postseason, all of which have resulted in Finals appearances.
He is coming off a season that saw him shoot 41.5 percent from three-point range. which was the second-highest in the league. Although, he played in just 59 games, which was his lowest total since the 2012-2013 season. He will be expected to take over the leadership role in this upcoming season, as the Cavaliers hope to take advantage of LeBron at least moving on the Western Conference.
