The Cleveland Cavaliers are making a point that they're not just going to tank for the next few seasons in wake of LeBron James' departure. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavs went out and signed Kevin Love to a four-year, $120 million contract extension that tops out his overall deal at five years, $145 million.
Love, 29, had opted out of the 2019-20 season on his current five-year deal, which would have made him a free agent next Summer when several other All-Star players are set to hit the open market. Instead, he'll earn the $24.1 million next season before the four-year extension kicks in.
Per ESPN:
"In the aftermath of LeBron James' departure in free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Cavaliers aggressively pushed to secure Love, 29, for the long-term. Owner Dan Gilbert and GM Koby Altman have been determined to keep the Cavaliers a playoff team, and that plan included keeping Love out of free agency in 2019."
According to Woj, the Cavaliers arranged an impromptu signing ceremony for Love at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland today, where team employees and arena construction workers would witness Love signing his deal.
In 59 games with the Cavs last season, Love ranked second on the team in points with 17.6 per game and led the team in rebounding with 9.3 a night, while being named an All-Star for the fifth time in his 10-year career.