It may be time to say goodbye to Kevin Love. We had a good run
It's tough to describe the impact that Kevin Love has made with the Utah Jazz during his lone season in the Salt Lake Valley. In just one season with the Jazz, the declining former star didn't make much of an impact on the court, yet he managed to win the admiration of fans and his teammates, serving as an invaluable mentor and locker room presence for the team's young core of developing stars.
What a strange period of time in Utah. A team working against itself for the betterment of lottery odds signs a seasoned NBA veteran via an offseason trade -- and a veteran who would have been an exceptional addition to the Jazz during the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era, at that -- and he spends the majority of his season on the bench.
Kevin Love is in the twilight of his career. You'd be a fool to suggest otherwise after the former multiple-time NBA All-Star posted near career-lows in just 37 games with the Jazz. At 37 years old, Love has appeared in just 60 games over the last two seasons (averaging 30 games per season). Yet despite his initial hesitance to stay with the Jazz through their final rebuilding season, Love quickly became an undeniable fan-favorite in his new home.
By the look of his current free agency, however, it seems very unlikely that the former NBA champion has plans to spend another year in Salt Lake City.
Recent intel from ESPN suggests that Love's top two options are rejoining his former teammate, LeBron James, in Philadelphia.
"Love's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, has been in touch with the Philadelphia 76ers' front office since James picked Philadelphia, sources told ESPN. Though the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained close ... that bond doesn't necessarily mean there will be a roster spot for the former five-time All-Star by training camp.
"Though Love has interest in pairing with James to pursue a championship, he has maintained a strong relationship with Jazz coach Will Hardy, serving as a veteran voice with that young group, sources said. Utah, however, also has a full roster."
The Jazz are booked up, and the "no" has been illuminated on the depth chart's "vacancy" sign. No matter where Love ends up this year, he's certainly approaching the final years of his NBA career -- no one ages like his buddy LeBron, who will be 42 this season -- but I'd like to thank him for spending this year in Utah. It was one to remember, and certainly will make for a fantastic trivia night question a decade from now.
