CLEVELAND - Habang mas pinili ni LeBron James na lumipat sa Los Angeles Lakers ay mana-natili naman si star forward Kevin Love sa Cavaliers.
Inihayag kahapon ng Cleveland ang pagpirma ni Love sa isang multi-year contract.
Sinasabing ang contract extension ay nagkakahalaga ng $120 milyon sa loob ng apat na taon.
“We are very excited to announce Kevin’s long-term commitment to the Cavaliers and Cleveland,” sabi ni Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman. “This quickly became a partnership the second we began these discussions. Collaboration and winning matter greatly to Kevin and that was reflected in this extension.”
Sa pag-alis ni James ay si Love na ang magiging pangunahing bituin ng prangkisa ng Cleveland.
“Kevin’s talent and character are both at a very high level and he has earned his role at the center of what we want to do moving forward. As a five-time All-Star and NBA Champion, Kevin has a special understanding of exactly what success and winning require,” ani Altman.
Mula sa Minnesota Timberwolves ay lumipat si Love sa Cavaliers noong 2014.
Natulungan ng 29-an-yos na si Love ang Cleveland sa apat na sunod na NBA Finals appearances laban sa Golden State Warriors noong 2015, 2016, 2017 at 2018 at nagkampeon noong 2016.
Nagtala ang NBA All-Star forward ng average na 17.6 points.
Ang 10-year NBA ve-teran na si Love ang isa sa walong players sa NBA history na naglista ng 11,000 points, 7,000 rebounds at 1,000 three-pointers.