Kevin Love, Cavaliers finalizing contract buyout; Heat interested

According to Shams Charania and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kevin Love are finalizing the details on a contract buyout that would allow the veteran big man to hit the open market.

The Miami Heat are reportedly an interested suitor for Love, as the team has an open roster spot and is scouring the market for a frontcourt player.

Love has not appeared in 12 straight games for the Cavs, and has registered nine consecutive DNP-CDs since being removed from the rotation. Per The Athletic, he is seeking a better playing opportunity.

Love has battled an ailing thumb since late November, which has affected his shooting. (He has converted on just 31.1% of his three-point attempts since December.) On the season, Love is averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game on .389/.354/.889 shooting splits.

If Love is officially bought out, it will end his nine-and-a-half-season stint with the Cavaliers. He will have finished his time in Cleveland producing 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest as a 37.6% shooter from distance, with plenty of franchise accolades and a 2016 NBA championship ring to show for it.