Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love has decided to opt out of the final year of his $US16.7 million ($A21.7 million) NBA contract next season and become a free agent.
The expected move was first reported by ESPN, which said Cleveland would attempt to re-sign Love, who suffered a season-ending dislocated left shoulder in the first round of the playoffs and watched the Cavs lose the NBA finals in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
Cleveland general manager David Geffin believes the Cavaliers are the front-runner to re-sign Love, who could ink a potential five-year, $US100 million ($A130 million) dollar extension.
Other teams can only offer a four-year max deal unless a sign-and-trade is agreed on. Should the former All-Star forward not want to go long term, he can sign a one-and-one year deal with a player option - much like teammate LeBron James did last summer - for the 2016-17 season when the salary cap is expected to rise at least 30 per cent.
Love averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 75 games this season for Cleveland, who traded away the top pick in the 2014 NBA draft and eventual rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota as part of a three-team deal with Philadelphia last summer to acquire Love.
The LA Lakers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are expected to make a run at Love once free agency begins on July 1. The Portland Trail Blazers would also come into the mix, should All-Star big man LaMarcus Aldridge opt for free agency as well.
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