Five-time All-Star Kevin Love has committed to stay in Cleveland for the long-term after inking a four-year extension with the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Love who will turn a year older this September signed a $120 million extension that would kick in starting next year. Love who decided to opt-out of his current deal will earn $24.1 million this season.
Cavaliers' general manager Koby Altman expressed his happiness of re-signing Love, saying he never wanted to trade the 6-foot-10 big man. Love averaged a near double-double with the Cavaliers last season, tallying 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest.
"We are very excited to announce Kevin's long-term commitment to the Cavaliers and Cleveland. 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," Altman said in a statement.
The Cavaliers acquired Love in 2014 after trading top overall pick Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his last four seasons with the Cavaliers, Love averaged 17.1 points, and 10 rebounds per game in 271 games played.
Cleveland Is Love's Team Now
With LeBron James leaving Cleveland for the Los Angeles Lakers, Deadspin journalist Avery Yang is certain that the Cavaliers are Love's team now. Yang is hopeful that with James gone, Love can turn back the hands of time and dazzle the league with numerous 30-30 games and 26-12 seasons.
Love played 59 games for the Cavaliers last season wherein he posted decent shooting percentages of .415 from the three-point area and a career-best of .880 from the charity stripe. Love also joined Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, and DeMarcus Cousins as the only players to convert at least 100 three-pointers while averaging at least nine rebounds in the 2017-18 season.
In addition, Love is ranked fourth in three-pointers made in Cavaliers history with 584 conversions. Love sits 10th in defensive rebounds with 2,165 and 12th in total rebounds with 2,705. He was also instrumental to the Cavaliers' four consecutive NBA finals appearances which were highlighted with a titular run in 2016.
Can Love Regain Old Form?
Love displayed insane averages in his stint with Minnesota recording 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per night during his last season with the Timberwolves. He also shot 46 percent from the field while converting 38 percent from beyond the arc.
The former Timberwolves superstar will be joining George Hill, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, Larry Nance Jr, Channing Frye, and Rodney Hood in the Cavaliers this season. Other members of the squad include Jordan Clarkson, Cedi Osman, Ante Zizic, and rookie court general Collin Sexton.
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