Kevin Love NBA free agency news: Love opts out of deal with Cleveland Cavaliers

Wikipedia

Former All-Star forward Kevin Love looks to explore better options once free agency begins Wednesday as he opts out of his current deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers which still has one year.

If Love stayed for the remaining year of the deal he would have earned $16.7 million next season.

The Cavs acquired Love through a three-team trade deal sending last year's No. 1 pick and this season's Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Cleveland also sent 2013 No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett to the Timberwolves for Love.

Love played his first six NBA seasons with the Timberwolves and has wanted to enter the playoffs but was always denied in his time with Minnesota.

The 26-year-old joined the Cavaliers to achieve his goal and they did reach the postseason despite their poor performance earlier in the season.

Love played in 75 games for the Cavaliers and averaged nearly a double-double 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game with 2.2 assists.

In his first postseason appearance, Love averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per outing.

Unfortunately for the three-time All-Star, he was injured in the first round against the Boston Celtics after getting entangled with the C's Kelly Olynyk and injuring his shoulder.

The Cavaliers reached the 2015 NBA Finals without Love but were defeated by eventual champions the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Re-signing Love is one of Cleveland's major priorities this offseason but reports say franchise star LeBron James will not be helping the team in recruiting him.

Despite all the tension surrounding Love's decision to opt out of his pact with the Cavaliers, general manager David Griffin is not worried.

"I think he has been very clear with what his intentions are all along. Any time he has stood in front of anybody he's said that. I'm not concerned about it," Griffin said according to Cleveland.com.