NBA Rumors: Kevin Love, Heat Finalizing 2-Year, $8M Contract After Option Declined | News, Scores, H

Per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, Love will sign a two-year, $8 million-plus deal. There are reportedly no player or team options included in the new contract, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

Love had a $4 million option with the Heat for next season that he declined on June 29. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that both sides were "enthusiastic" about negotiating a new deal.

The 35-year-old Love seemed like he found a good home and role during his two seasons with the Heat. He averaged 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 76 appearances for Miami.

Miami entered this offseason in a difficult cap situation. The team was set to be over the first apron, leaving it positioned to be hard-capped if it used the $5.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception in free agency.

Heat president Pat Riley even appeared to express some frustration publicly with Jimmy Butler during his end-of-season press conference.

For a team that has been defined by stability for decades, this is the first offseason in a long time where the Heat had a lot of things to figure out for their short- and long-term future.

Love is only been a short-term option for the franchise, but they know him as well as any team in the NBA right now. The five-time All-Star has had a successful adjustment to being a role player off the bench in the latter stages of his career.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra will continue to take advantage of Love's ability as a scorer and rebounder next season as they compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

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