MIAMI — His career rejuvenated by a role in the Miami Heat’s run to the NBA Finals, Kevin Love agreed Friday to return to the team on a two-year deal in NBA free agency, with the second year a player option.
Having fallen out of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ rotation, Love, 34, resurrected his career after receiving a buyout from the Cavaliers and then joining the Heat on Feb. 20 in the buyout market.
Love then immediately moved into the Heat starting lineup, a role he also held for stretches during the Heat’s two-month playoff run.
Love agreed to a deal starting at $3.7 million for next season, slightly above the veteran minimum for a player of his experience.
The return of the former All-Star fortifies a power rotation that had struggled last season before his arrival.
Love saw action in 21 regular-season games with the Heat (17 starts), averaging 7.7 points (.388 FG%, .857 FT%), 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists in an average of 19.9 minutes. He tied Caleb Martin for the team lead in charges drawn (16) despite his limited tenure with the team.
