After landing with the Utah Jazz this offseason in a three-team deal that sent Norman Powell to Miami and John Collins to the Clippers, many expected Kevin Love to be flipped again or bought out before the season. That won’t be the case after reports suggest Love will be in Salt Lake City when training camp tips off this week, according to The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.
Love only appeared in 23 games with the Heat last season, averaging 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in limited minutes. While his production has dipped from his All-NBA peak, he remains a respected veteran presence. Love is still a “big who can space the floor as a shooter (35.7 percent on three-pointers last season), a quality rebounder, an elite outlet passer and just a guy who knows how to play the game,” as Stein and Fischer noted.
The Jazz are expected to continue reshaping their roster and could look to move multiple veterans as the season unfolds. Love, who is entering the final year of his contract worth $4.2 million, could draw interest as a trade target for a playoff team in need of experienced frontcourt depth. If that market doesn’t develop, a buyout after the trade deadline remains a strong possibility.
For now, Utah is giving the five-time All-Star every opportunity to contribute on his fourth NBA team. Love’s shooting and leadership could offer value for a Jazz squad balancing young talent with veterans on expiring deals.
“As the season moves on and teams get a better understanding of their rosters (and injuries happen), there could be a team looking for veteran depth along the front line, and Love… would fit that bill,” as Stein and Fischer summed it up.