Longtime NBA forward Kevin Love stated that he does not have any set intentions on retirement and will not shut down the option of ending his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers when asked to evaluate his time with the team during a supply stop in Cleveland on Saturday.
Cavs fans will know that Kevin Love spent over eight seasons with the franchise, winning a championship with them in 2016. Now into his 18th season in the NBA with the Utah Jazz, Love said on Saturday, Cleveland will always be special to him and commented that he could see it happening if the stars align and he feels there is a fit.
In an interview with DJ Siddiqi of Esports Insider, Love admitted his openness to going back to Miami, should every other condition allow it.
“I don’t want to make any assumptions,” Love said. “They’ve been so good to me here already with Utah, and if this is it, then I’m very happy with that. Obviously, Cleveland is a near and dear place to me. But regardless if that happened or not, I’m always going to go back to Cleveland. They were so good to me for my eight-and-a-half seasons there, and continue to be.”
Through the early portion of the 2025–26 season, Love has settled into a veteran role with the Utah Jazz, providing leadership for a young core and serving as a valued locker-room voice for coach Will Hardy.
Kevin Love Gives Honest Opinion on Jazz Rookie
Kevin Love said he’s been spending significant time mentoring Utah’s rookie Ace Bailey, encouraging the 19-year-old to embrace the challenges of transitioning to the NBA and to “balance and center” himself amid the noise that surrounds high draft picks.
Love, whose locker sits next to Bailey’s at the practice facility, described a daily, hands-on relationship that gives the rookie steady veteranship during his introduction to the league.
“We were both the fifth pick, so we have his nickname for each other, P5 (pick five), and I think that’ll just continue to grow as well,” Love added. “I really see ways that I can help him. I don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen right now. I think we have a small sample size of what he’s capable of with his first 20-point game [vs. the Pacers].”
Love also stressed that growth requires time, and compared Bailey’s expected curve to his own slow climb from a young player into an All-Star and champion, and warned that not every night will be perfect as the rookie learns the pro game.
So far this season, Kevin Love is averaging 4.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
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Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
