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The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed forward Kevin Love, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
“From the moment Kevin arrived, he has shared our plan for winning in Cleveland. Today confirms our mutual belief in that vision,” said Griffin. “As one of the truly elite players in the NBA, Kevin’s value and impact was critical to our success this past season and we are thrilled that he will be part of our core group for many years to come.”
According to ESPN.com, “The league set its salary cap for the 2015-16 season on Wednesday, and based on the new data, Love will get a five-year, $113.2 million contract. His salary for next season will be $19.69 million. But Love said his desire to win a title with the Cavs outweighed every other consideration when deciding where to continue his career. He was unable to play in the NBA Finals after suffering a serious shoulder injury in the opening round against Boston and undergoing surgery.”
In his first season with the Cavs, Love played in 75 games (all starts) with averages of 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.8 minutes per game. Love was the only player in the league to average at least nine rebounds and make at least 50 three-pointers this past season. He also shot .367 from the three-point line and .804 from the foul line on the season. His 144 three-pointers were the second-most on the team in 2014-15, as well as the seventh-most in a single season in franchise history. Love registered a team-high 38 double-doubles, which was tied for 10th in the NBA and was the most by a Cavalier since 2003-04 (Carlos Boozer, 41).
Love played in four games during the 2015 Playoffs before suffering a dislocated left shoulder in the First Round series against Boston. He averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 26.8 minutes, while also shooting .429 from the three-point line for Cleveland. Love was originally acquired by the Cavs in a three-team trade on August 23, 2014.
A three-time NBA All-Star, Love owns career averages of 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 32.9 minutes over 439 games (357 starts) in seven seasons with Minnesota and Cleveland. The 6-10 forward holds career shooting percentages of .363 from the three-point line and .814 from the free throw line. Love is one of only three players in league history to average 10.0 rebounds and make over 500 three-pointers, joining Larry Bird and Charles Barkley.
