Kevin Love Signs 4-Year Contract Extension With The Cavaliers
Kevin Love, 29, has signed a four-year contract extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The deal, valued at $120 million, puts the player's five-year total at $145 million.
The five-time All-Star’s extension will be maxed in 2019-20 and 2020-21, with no raise in 2021-22 and a decrease in 2022-23. Love, who could have become a free agent, accepted $8 million less than his full maximum.
"We are very excited to announce Kevin's long-term commitment to the Cavaliers and Cleveland," said general manager Koby Altman in a statement. "This quickly became a partnership the second we began these discussions. Collaboration and winning matter greatly to Kevin and that was reflected in this extension. Kevin's talent and character are both at a very high level and he has earned his role at the center of what we want to do moving forward."
It was expected that the Cavaliers would reject trade offers for Love after the departure of LeBron James.
“When I first came to Cleveland, I came with a long-term mindset. I came here to win. We developed a culture here that reflects that. I’m super excited and I couldn’t be happier,” Love said. “It’s a big commitment for me and it’s a big commitment from the Cavaliers, so I want to thank Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman, and the entire organization. I enjoy playing here, I’m excited about the team that we have and look forward to our future together. Cleveland fans have been special from day one and I’m also looking forward to continuing to be a part of this great community.”
The Cavaliers acquired Love as part of a three-team trade before the 2014 season, and he's made the Eastern Conference All-Star team in the last two seasons. With an average of 18 points and 11 rebounds in his 10-year career, including 15 points and 9.7 rebounds in the playoffs, Love is one the Cavaliers most valuable assets.
Love scored 41.5 percent on 3-pointers last season, the second-highest percentage of his basketball career, as the Cavaliers headed to the NBA Finals. Despite his record last season, he played only 59 games, the fewest since the 2012-13 season.
In the past four seasons, Love has played in 271 games and averaged a double-double (17.1 ppg, 10 rpg). Since the 2014-15 season, he leads the team in total rebounds (2,705), double-doubles (145) and 3-pointers (584). With the Cavaliers, Love currently ranks fourth in all-time 3-pointers made, 10th in defensive rebounds (2,165) and 12th in total rebounds. He has also been instrumental in helping the Cavaliers reach the postseason in all four years, as well as a run at the NBA title in 2016.
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