Kevin Love could become a free agent in the offseason, but the All-Star power forward reiterated that he is planning to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Love, who was acquired by the Cavaliers in a blockbuster deal that sent promising rookie Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves, could opt out of the final year of his contract and hit free agency this summer.
Previous reports indicated that several teams have already expressed interest in acquiring Love, including rebuilding teams Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.
However, Love pointed out that he expects to be in a Cavaliers uniform when the 2015-16 season starts, staying firm in his previous statement that he does not intend to leave Cleveland in the offseason.
Love, who averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds during the regular season, is currently out after hurting his shoulder during their first-round series against the Boston Celtics. He sustained a dislocated shoulder with ligament and labrum tear when he got tangled with Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk while battling for a loose ball.
Without Love, the Cavaliers managed to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007. The 26-year-old admitted that he is feeling bad because he cannot help his team in the finals, but he added that he is extremely proud of what his teammates have accomplished.
"I had really wanted this, wanted to be a part of this run," Love said in a recent interview. "So, it's something that I look at as an opportunity. I think all injuries are. I'm super happy for these guys, proud of these guys. And there's times where I've felt down because of my shoulder, and they've been here to pick me back up."
And as for his recovery from the shoulder surgery, Love said that rehabilitation is going well as he was already cleared to travel with his team. However, the former UCLA standout admitted that he almost aggravated his injured shoulder during an on-court celebration following their win against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of their series.
"I walk out there, the teammate will remain nameless, I go up and give him a big hug and I said 'congratulations' and he takes his arm and he goes, 'Ah yeah man, good game' and just hits me right on the arm," Love said jest via Cleveland.com.
