Mar 9, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Kevin Love (42) runs down the court as the Jazz bench celebrates in the third quarter at Delta Center. . Mandatory Credit: Gabriel Mayberry-Imagn Images
Mar 9, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz center Kevin Love (42) runs down the court as the Jazz bench celebrates in the third quarter at Delta Center. . Mandatory Credit: Gabriel Mayberry-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are perfectly comfortable starting next season as currently constructed. While they only finished fourth in the standings last campaign, they made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the Knicks.
Still, the Cavaliers responded by adding Peyton Watson to their starting lineup, a solid two-way wing who fills a longtime need. They’d be happy if he were their only addition, but the latest intel suggests that they are also considering a Kevin Love pursuit to add one more veteran big man.
“The Cavs are looking for a big man, and Kevin Love is out there,” Brian Windhorst said on the Hoop Collective. “That’s a guy to keep an eye on for Cleveland.”
Kevin Love, 37, became an unrestricted free agent this summer after 37 games with the Jazz last season. In 16.6 minutes per game, he averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks on 39.7% shooting from the field while mentoring young teammates with his veteran experience.
The 6’10” power forward was once considered one of the best in the league at his position, standing out as an exceptional rebounder, shooter, and outlet passer. In 2014, he joined LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, acting as the third co-star during four straight trips to the Finals (including a championship in 2016). Love would outlast both Irving and James in Cleveland, becoming somewhat of a franchise hero, but he would finally be traded in 2023 as part of a deal with the Heat.
Nobody thought that Love would ever return to Cleveland (especially at this stage of his career), but it seems the time is right for a reunion. While the Cavaliers already have a loaded big man rotation on paper (Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Thomas Bryant), they have enough room for one more player at the four spot, and Love would be a fine addition, assuming he doesn’t join the 76ers first.
Love wouldn’t play a big role for this Cavs team, but he could provide a valuable spark off the bench with his three-point shooting, veteran leadership, and consistent rebounding in the paint, all for the veteran’s minimum. Plus, as someone with previous ties to the Cavs, he would command respect right away without overstepping his authority.
The best part for Love is that it would give him one last chance to win another championship, something he didn’t have with the Jazz. In fact, between Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, Love might just be the piece they need to take that next step as contenders. It doesn’t hurt that they just traded for Peyton Watson, an elite two-way wing who raises their ceiling further.
For Kevin Love, there’s no doubt the end is near. After 18 long seasons, his story is nearly over now, and how it plays out is entirely in his hands. If Love so desires, he could call it quits today and transition into his next phase of life. After all, he’s got nothing left to prove. But if he wants an opportunity for a glorious reunion, he should take it while it’s still on the table.
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