Love Doesn’t Plan to Opt Out
Kevin Love emphasized that he doesn’t plan on opting out of his contract after this season.
Love was traded to the Cavs with just one season left on his deal, and could become an unrestricted free agent.
“I think that we will figure it out here, so I don’t plan on opting out or any of that,” Love told Northeast Ohio Media Group.
“I plan on being here. As far as leaving my options open, I mean sure, it’s always there. At the end of the day, it’s always good to have something but no, I plan on being here.”
Love has a $16.7 million player option for next season. He could opt in and sign a new contract after that season.
“I’ve said all along that I plan on being a Cavalier long-term,” Love said without hesitation. “As we continue to evolve, my role will continue to evolve. It’s still a process where I’m figuring it out.”
However, some around the league still feel Love will test free agency, particularly considering he hasn’t fit well with the Cavs so far.
Love said he’s been studying film to see how he could be more effective, and that he needs to call for the ball some times.
Cavs Ignoring Coaches?
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says that the Cavaliers appear to be ignoring some of the plays being called.
“It isn’t just the casinos that are agape at how this is playing out -- the Cavs were 4-15 in their past 19 games against the spread coming in to Tuesday -- so are league scouts, executives and rival players,” he wrote in a commentary.
“They see players appearing to run different plays than the bench calls, see assistant coach Tyronn Lue calling timeouts literally behind Blatt’s back during games, and hear Cavs players openly talking about coaching issues with opposing players and personnel. Not once, not twice, but frequently over the past several months.”
Windhorst said that for weeks, small talk among league personnel has often started with wondering what’s going on in Cleveland.
It’s just the latest in the Cavs drama, which has included in the past week not only LeBron’s shove but also Blatt saying Love “is not a max player yet.”
