Kevin Wesley Love is a well-known professional basketball player in the NBA who started playing for the National Basketball Association in 2008. He currently plays for Miami Heat He was born in Santa Monica, California, on September 7, 1988. Born into a basketball family, Love's journey from college stardom to an NBA champion has made him a respected figure in the sport. In February 2023, after spending nine seasons with Cleveland, he moved to Miami, where he made his fifth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.
NBA veteran Kevin Love is also recently involved in a three-team trade, moving from the Miami Heat to the Utah Jazz. The 36-year-old forward, who played limited games for the Heat over two seasons, is reportedly seeking a buyout, according to ESPN.
After being traded to the Jazz, Kevin Love is expected to agree to a buy-out, and will enter free agency.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 7, 2025
Which team should sign him? 👀 pic.twitter.com/8nuCqVryxk
Love is currently in the final year of a two-year, $8 million contract signed with Miami in July 2023. His move to the rebuilding Jazz makes him a strong candidate for a buyout, potentially allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. He's famous for his strong rebounding, amazing long passes that lead to scores, and his ability to shoot three-pointers as a big player.
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Early Life
Kevin Love grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was a childhood friend and Little League teammate of Klay Thompson. His father, Stan Love, was a former NBA player. From there, he was introduced to the world of basketball, and he played high school basketball for the Lake Oswego Lakers. This led them to a state championship in his junior year. He finished his high school career as Oregon's all-time leading scorer with 2,628 points and was named Gatorade National Male Athlete of the Year. Growing up, Kevin showed great talent for the game.
Education
He gained a lot of popularity through his basketball matches at Lake Oswego High School in Oregon. He then went on to play for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the college basketball team for one season. During his time at UCLA, he was a standout player and earned awards like Pac-10 Player of the Year. He also led his team to the NCAA Final Four in 2008. His strong performance in college made him a top pick in the NBA Draft.
Career
Kevin Love joined the NBA in 2008 when he was picked 5th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, but he was immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Minnesota, he quickly became a dominant force, especially in rebounding. He led the league in rebounding in 2011 and set an NBA record for the longest streak of consecutive double-doubles (getting double figures in two different stats, usually points and rebounds). He became a multi-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Most Improved Player in 2011.
He showed he could score, rebound, and pass at a very high level. In 2014, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. There, he joined LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to form a "Big Three." He became more of a stretch big man who could shoot from long range for the team. This move led to the biggest highlight of his career, winning the 2016 NBA Championship with the Cavaliers. Moreover, he overcame a 3-1 deficit in the Finals and played a key role in their success, providing vital rebounding, spacing, and clutch moments.
In 2023, Love joined the Miami Heat. In Miami, he continued to be a valuable veteran presence, often coming off the bench to provide shooting, rebounding, and playoff experience for a competitive team. Let us catch up on the teams he played for from the table shown below:
| Team | Years Played |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2008-2014 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2014-2023 |
| Miami Heat | 2023-Present |
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Key Stats
Kevin Love's career reflects his versatility and impact. The table below shows his career statistics for the Miami Heat for the 2024-25 season per 100 plays:
| Statistic | Value |
| Year/Team | 2024-25 MIA |
| Games Played (GP) | 23 |
| Minutes (MIN) | 41.2 |
| Points (PTS) | 20.0 |
| Field Goals Made (FGM) | 6.7 |
| Field Goals Attempted (FGA) | 18.9 |
| Field Goal % (FG%) | 35.7% |
| 3-Pointers Made (3PM) | 3.9 |
| 3-Pointers Attempted (3PA) | 11.0 |
| 3-Point % (3P%) | 35.8% |
| Free Throws Made (FTM) | 2.6 |
| Free Throws Attempted (FTA) | 3.8 |
| Free Throw % (FT%) | 69.6% |
| Offensive Rebounds (OREB) | 3.6 |
| Defensive Rebounds (DREB) | 11.8 |
| Total Rebounds (REB) | 15.4 |
| Assists (AST) | 3.6 |
| Turnovers (TOV) | 2.3 |
| Steals (STL) | 2.5 |
| Blocks (BLK) | 0.7 |
| Personal Fouls (PF) | 3.4 |
| Double-Doubles (DD2) | 51 |
| Triple-Doubles (TD3) | 0 |
| Plus/Minus (+/-) | -4.1 |
Source: NBA
Awards and Achievements
Kevin Love boasts an impressive array of achievements, most notably becoming an NBA Champion in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He earned five NBA All-Star selections (2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018), was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2011, and also received the NBA Most Improved Player award that same year. His success extended internationally, securing Olympic Gold in 2012 and a FIBA World Championship Gold in 2010 with Team USA, alongside his collegiate Karl Malone Award in 2008. Find out more about his awards and honours in the table below:
| Achievement | Year |
| NBA Champion | 2016 (Cleveland Cavaliers) |
| NBA All-Star | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 |
| All-NBA Second Team | 2011 |
| NBA Most Improved Player | 2011 |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 2012 London (Team USA) |
| FIBA World Championship Gold Medal | 2010 (Team USA) |
| Karl Malone Award | 2008 (NCAA, recognizing the top power forward) |
Kevin Love's career has been a testament to his adaptability and enduring skill. From his early days as a dominant rebounder to his crucial role as a champion, he has left a significant mark on the NBA.
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