Power forward Kevin Love has announced he will return to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the next NBA basketball season, with the 26-year-old reportedly agreeing to a five-year deal worth $163 million to remain in Ohio.
The Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love playing for the United States. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Love, obtained last year from Minnesota in a major trade, suffered a separated left shoulder in the first round of the NBA playoffs and could only watch as the Cavaliers lost to Golden State in the NBA Finals.
"I'm going back to Cleveland," Love said on the Players Tribune website this morning.
"We're all on the same page and we're all in. We have unfinished business and now it's time to get back to work."
Love's announcement came on the first day of free agency for the 2015-16 campaign.
Love had opted out of a deal that would have paid him $16.7 million next season to test the free agent waters.
In addition to superstar LeBron James, Love will be joined by star guard Kyrie Irving and big men Anderson Varejao and Timofey Mozgov.
Slovenian guard Goran Dragic agreed to a $133 million, five-year contract extension with Miami, ESPN reported, taking less than maximum money from the Heat to help Miami pursue other talent, such as keeping free agent star guard Dwyane Wade, who turned down a $24 million deal for next season to seek a longer-term contract, and Kevin Durant when he becomes a free agent next year.
DeMarre Carroll announced his new four-year deal for $89 million with Toronto on his Instagram account, leaving the Atlanta Hawks for the Raptors. He averaged a career-high 12.9 points a game last season and adds a 3-point scoring threat to Toronto's backcourt.
The Hawks swung a trade deal with San Antonio to add forward Tiago Splitter.
The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a five-year deal worth $133 million with guard Jimmy Butler, ESPN reported, while also saying Phoenix had come to terms on a five-year deal for $104 million with Brandon Knight.
The long-term moves bring security but could be a bargain for clubs in coming years when the salary cap will skyrocket thanks to new record television deals starting to bring huge revenues for teams.
The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to terms on a five-year deal for $215 million with star forward Anthony Davis, who averaged 24.4 points and 10.2 rebounds last season.
"NOLA, I am here to stay! Just getting started." Davis tweeted.
The San Antonio Spurs agreed to a maximum five-year deal for $133 million to keep forward Kawhi Leonard and a four-year contract worth $66 million with outside shooting threat Danny Green - though they're also rumoured to have their eyes on Portland star LaMarcus Aldridge.
