$100 Million NBA Champion Gets the Nod by $3 Billion Team for Bargain Deal

Published 02/21/2023, 9:50 AM EST

The mid-season NBA trade window saw a lot of blockbuster moves this season. The Brooklyn Nets saw two of their superstars, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, leave for the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, respectively. The Los Angeles Lakers made some serious moves as well. They traded former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz on the trade deadline. However, after finalizing a buyout with the Jazz, Westbrook joined the Lakers’ arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers.

Similarly, 2016 NBA champion Kevin Love finalized a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed with the Miami Heat recently. But how much did he sign for?

Kevin Love signs with the Heat

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NBA veteran Kevin Love has a net worth of $100 million thanks to his success on the hardwood. Even though superstars like LeBron James and Kyrie Irving left the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin stood firm despite their struggles. The Cavs offered him a four-year, $120-million contract extension in 2018 which he signed. With this contract, he earned around $30 million per year. After the trade deadline, there were rumbles that Love is looking for a buyout and has several teams in mind.

LOVE to see it ✍️
OFFICIAL: The Miami HEAT have signed 5x #NBAAllStar Kevin Love. pic.twitter.com/27zpl848r3
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 20, 2023

There were reports he could join former teammate LeBron with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Miami Heat was in the mix as well. The Cavs then released him on Saturday. The five-time NBA All-Star had $28.9 million due this season. He became a free agent since no team had the salary cap wherewithal to submit a waiver claim. According to a report from Sun Sentinel, the Heat then signed Love for a one-year $3.1 million deal.

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The Heat announced the deal via their social media handles. The 2011 Most Improved Player will wear #42 for the Heat. The Cavaliers announced that they would honor Love by retiring his #0 jersey.

Can Love help the Heat?

The Miami Heat is an organization that greatly values its culture and respects veterans. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals last year but are struggling this season. Even though Kevin Love is not in his prime anymore, he can help the Heat on both ends of the court.

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Furthermore, his massive experience reaching the NBA Finals for four straight years will be a huge addition to the squad. The Heat is still in playoff contention, sitting 7th, however, the Atlanta Hawks are breathing down their necks. Fans will be hoping Love can help the Heat propel this season.

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Written by:

Bagavathi Eswaran is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He has been playing the game of basketball for more than 20 years now and has also been following the NBA for more than 10 years. After not being able to go pro, this former college player decided to join the IT industry.

Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra

$100 Million NBA Champion Gets the Nod by $3 Billion Team for Bargain Deal

Kevin Love signs with the Heat

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Can Love help the Heat?