There was some doubt surrounding Kevin Love’s future with the Miami Heat as the five-time All-Star entered NBA free agency. The two sides worked together toward a single goal, though, which resulted in the 6-foot-8 big man putting pen to paper on a two-year extension worth over $8 million.
It’s far from the mind-blowing paydays Love encountered earlier in his career, but there’s no denying that this new deal still means a whole lot to the 35-year-old.
Miami Heat News: Kevin Love Speaks Out on New Deal
According to Love, he knew early on that he was eventually going to get a deal done with the Heat:
“At the end of the day, it didn’t feel like there was any doubt,” Love said Sunday afternoon during a Zoom call with reporters, via Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
Love is no longer the big-name superstar he once was, but he still has some gas left in the tank. The fact that the Heat agreed to lock him up to a two-year extension is a testament to this notion.
Love also hinted that he explored other opportunities in free agency. However, he knew deep down that Miami was home and that he was always going to stay in South Beach:
“In every free agency, there’s always a chance to look around the league and see opportunity,” Love continued. “But in my mind, in terms of how the team operates, who [Heat coach Erik Spoelstra] is, who [Heat president Pat Riley] is, who [Heat general manager Andy Elisburg] is, it really in the last year and a half has felt like home.
“It felt like we were always optimistic that we would be able to get this done, get an extra year and just be able to provide as much as I possibly can for the team. I’m very, very happy to be back.”
In his first full season with the Heat last term, Love produced averages of 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16.8 minutes off the bench.
