Why Kevin Love Chose to Sign With Miami Heat After Leaving Cleveland

• Kevin Love has said the winning culture enticed him to sign with the Miami Heat
• Love recently completed a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers, leaving the franchise after nine seasons
• The veteran big man won the 2016 NBA title with the Cavaliers

Days after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love has found a new home in Miami with the Heat.

Love spent nine successful seasons with the Cavaliers and felt he wanted to be part of the Heat's winning culture.

The 34-year-old played an instrumental role for the Cavaliers when they made four straight trips to the NBA finals from 2015-2018, winning the franchise's first-ever title in 2016.

The veteran big man hadn't made any appearances in the Cavaliers' last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break, a run that reportedly prompted him to ask for a buyout.

What if Michael Jordan did not retire during the Chicago Bulls’ reign in the 1990s?

NBA

With the emergence of Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen, Love has been relegated to the bench, per Bleacher Report.

Why Love chose Miami Heat

The Cavaliers announced after the buyout they will retire his jersey sometime in the future. He cited the famous Heat culture as the main reason he signed the deal on February 20th.

“I know a lot of these guys from being in the league for 15 years. Having played against them, they’re guys I admire, what they’re about, as well as this team and this culture here. It’s a special organization,” via SI.

He will add a much-needed frontcourt depth and contribute to three-point shooting, although he has struggled this season.

"Since I started in this league and got drafted in 2008 until now. They just have a tradition of excellence. They want to win and win now and that’s something I want to be a part of."

Why the Golden State Warriors traded No. 2 pick James Wiseman

NBA

The Heat made the Eastern Conference finals last season and currently sit seventh in the East standings, a spot that would earn them a play-in berth.

Nonetheless, they're only a half-game back on the New York Knicks for the No. 6 spot, so there's still time for them to move up the standings, per CBS Sports.

Cavaliers to retire Love's jersey

Sports Brief earlier reported on the Cavaliers announcing that they'll retire Love's jersey in the near future.

He formed a potent trio with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland. They were 3-1 down in the 2016 finals and mounted a historic comeback to win the city of Cleveland's first title in 52 years.

He will be one of the few players to have their jerseys retired by the Cleveland franchise.