Love announce on The Players Tribune that he was re-signing with the Cavaliers to join LeBron James in the pursuit of National Basteball Association titles with a five-year deal worth a reported $110 million.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers and Iman Shumpert have agreed to a contract, according to reports.
Butler agreed to a four-year maximum deal with a player option for a fifth season, sources said.
Chandler will get his in Phoenix, taking $52 million over four years to leave Dallas, while Atlanta’s DeMarre Carroll agreed to a deal with Toronto for $60 million over four years. As Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon Journal notes, the Cavs could be the first team to rack up a $200 million bill, including luxury tax payments, in National Basteball Association history.
Thompson, 24, played the final year of his contract for $4.06 million, turning down an offer for about $50 million over five years. His point and rebound averages were well above his regular-season production between his 62 games with the Cavaliers and Knicks. Things would’ve been a little dicey if Love specifically would’ve taken one-and-done contracts as had initially been rumored, especially since the threat of him leaving would’ve been present every single offseason.
“I wanted happiness, to win and to make money”, Love said in an interview on SiriusXM Radio. I couldnt have been prouder of them as they poured their blood, sweat and tears onto the court.
On the first day of free agency, Gilbert spent almost a quarter of a billion dollars to back that up. But at the end of the day, and after meeting with my teammates (it turns out pools are great meeting places) and with the front office, it was clear that Cleveland was the place for me. All we do know is that the Cavs need to bring Thompson back next season and lock him down for the long term.
Irving was injured in Game 1 of the National Basteball Association Finals, and James carried the Cavaliers the rest of the way. In the playoffs, he averaged 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists, including a triple-double in the Game 6 clincher against Cleveland in the National Basteball Association Finals.
Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk pulled Love’s shoulder out of its socket during their tense first-round series, ending Love’s season.
With a full training camp and a smarter, more experienced David Blatt at coach (yes, he will be back), the Cavs should easily be the top seed in the East next year.
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Some were surprised Love opted for the long-term deal instead of a shorter pact. However, Love and his representatives probably didnt want to risk leaving that kind of money on the table. Both players were in town for a Nike camp. The Lakers can not clear enough cap room to sign two max-salaried players. Add in James’ $22 million salary, and, say, the $8 million per year Smith is reportedly looking for, and it jumps to $121 million. His role grew in the playoffs, starting 16 of the 20 contests while playing through injury. His numbers exploded after that, as did the Cavs team defense.
