More and more signs are pointing to Kevin Love’s run with the Jazz being the final stop of his NBA career.
At the end of last season, the expectation was that Love would be back in Utah for this year. Instead, the offseason came and went, and he still never landed on a roster.
There had been chatter about a possible reunion with LeBron James, along with talk that he might return to a former team such as Minnesota or Cleveland. But right now, the picture looks much simpler: Love’s time with the Jazz may have been his last chapter in the league.
That wouldn’t exactly be a shock. Love did get meaningful run with Utah, but his role there was always going to be limited. Every NBA career runs into that point where the league starts closing the door, and even though Love made an impression on the Jazz, it looks like his playing days are over.
There’s not a whole lot more to dress it up with. The Jazz got to host an NBA all-timer in the twilight of his career, which is not something they’ve had the chance to do very often. Love’s impact in Utah wasn’t the kind that rewrites franchise history, but nobody expected that anyway.
So for now, the evidence keeps pointing to Utah as Love’s last stop.
That said, things could still shift later in the season.
It’s possible Love has teams interested, but he knows those offers are only going to be for the veteran’s minimum. In that case, waiting until February or March might make more sense if he can get the same money then while playing fewer games.
For a veteran in his spot, that kind of setup can be pretty appealing. He could sit tight, get paid, and likely only be asked to contribute if a team runs short on better options. If that’s his approach, it’s a smart one.
Even with no contract in hand, Love still hasn’t announced retirement, which says plenty on its own. He may simply be waiting for the right situation. Over the course of an 82-game season, injuries and roster needs change fast.
Between now and next year, plenty can still happen. Love may not bring much as a free agent at this stage, but there are still teams that could do worse. And if this really is the path he’s taking, maybe the Jazz end up calling him again.
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