CLEVELAND — Kevin Love is about to find out how much the league values him and how much the Cleveland Cavaliers want him.
The power forward is opting out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent on July 1, according to a person familiar with the decision. Love, who had a deal worth $16.7 million next season, informed the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Last week, general manager David Griffin said he expected Love and forward LeBron James to opt out of their deals and become free agents. Griffin also expects them to re-sign with the Cavaliers, who made it to the NBA Finals this season before losing to the Golden State Warriors.
The 26-year-old Love, who arrived in Cleveland last summer in a blockbuster trade from Minnesota, has said he wants to return. Cleveland played without Love for most of the playoffs after he dislocated his left shoulder in the first-round series against the Boston Celtics.
Love will likely draw major interest in the free agent market. He must now decide if he’d rather go elsewhere or stay in Cleveland to chase a title with James and all-star guard Kyrie Irving.
While his role changed during his first season with Cleveland, Love still averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 75 starts.
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