Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star big man Kevin Love spoke to Gregg Popovich directly about withdrawing from Team USA, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. The Cavs’ best player is the latest All-Star player to withdraw from Team USA this summer.
Kevin Love only played in 22 games this past season. He underwent surgery on his left foot in November after the first four games of the season. Love finished the season averaging 17.0 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 38.5 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 90.4 percent from the free-throw line.
The Cavs signed Love to a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension last offseason after LeBron James left for the Los Angeles Lakers. Love will make $28,942,830 next season, $31,258,256 in 2020-21, $31,258,256 in 2021-22 and $28,942,830 2022-23. Because Love is prone to injuries, it’s probably smart he’s not playing for Team USA this summer. The last thing the Cavs want to see is Love getting hurt before the 2019-20 season starts.
There were some around the league who thought if Love had a good showing for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in China, his trade value would increase. The Cavs are said to be not interested in trading Love at the moment, but that could change as the season moves along.