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Early September is part of the NBA‘s dead period during the offseason. But that doesn’t mean that personnel moves don’t happen during late summer.
The Utah Jazz have been looking to rebuild over the last three years after trading center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves and shipping All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers. They don’t have a lot of talent at this point in their rebuilding process, but they do have one veteran big man who could interest some teams.
Per Sam Amico, Utah is expected to buy out and release Kevin Love before the start of training camp.
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There have been rumors all summer that Utah has been looking to buy out Love’s contract, which will pay him $4.15 million this coming season. The team acquired him in July from the Miami Heat as part of a three-team trade.
Love’s best days are clearly behind him. He was once a rebounding machine in the early 2010s when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he led the NBA in rebounding during the 2010-11 season with an average of 15.2 boards a game.
He had been named the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2008 while at the University of California, Los Angeles, and he was a member of Team USA men’s basketball when it won the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Love was the No. 5 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Timberwolves.
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MARCH 05: Kevin Love #42 of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on March 05, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER:…
CLEVELAND, OHIO – MARCH 05: Kevin Love #42 of the Miami Heat looks on during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on March 05, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
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Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Last season, he averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 10.9 minutes a game. He isn’t a strong defender, but he could have a bit of utility in limited minutes as a rebounding and 3-point specialist.
The Jazz have another veteran big man who could interest rival teams in Lauri Markkanen, who has been the subject of trade rumors lately. Markkanen, 28, is seven feet tall and can play all three frontcourt positions, and he averaged 19.0 points a game last season.
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Markkanen has four years left on his contract at over $45 million a season, which will likely give other teams sticker shock.
For more on the Jazz and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.