Kevin Love is excited to return to the Miami Heat after becoming a free agent this summer. Despite bypassing a $4 million player option, he quickly agreed to a new two-year, $8 million contract with the Heat. Love, who turns 36 in September, felt confident about returning to Miami, praising the team and its management. He aims to contribute significantly over the next two years.
Love’s new deal pays him $3.85 million next season and $4.15 million in the 2025-26 season, with no player or team options. Despite his age, Love is confident he can remain a valuable player. Last season, he averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, proving to be a reliable backup center. The Heat performed well with him on the court, particularly when starter Bam Adebayo was resting.
During the playoffs, however, Love saw limited action due to unfavorable matchups against the Boston Celtics, who exploited the Heat’s zone defense when he played. Nonetheless, Love respects the Celtics as a strong team and believes health issues played a role in the Heat’s struggles.
Looking ahead, Love is open to playing more as a power forward and believes the Heat’s added frontcourt depth, including new additions Kel’el Ware and Thomas Bryant, could lighten Adebayo’s workload. Love also embraces his leadership role, aiming to mentor younger players and contribute both on and off the court.
Heat waived center Orlando Robinson
In related news, the Heat waived center Orlando Robinson before his $2.1 million salary became guaranteed. Robinson, now an unrestricted free agent, struggled to secure a consistent role with the team last season, playing in 36 games and averaging 2.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The decision to waive him followed the team’s bolstering of their frontcourt with Ware, Love, and Bryant.
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