According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kevin Love is "actively exploring" his options to make his stay with the Utah Jazz short-lived. The 17-year veteran arrived in Salt Lake City via a three-team trade that sent Norman Powell to the Miami Heat.
As Love angles toward the buyout market, even if he gets there, the Boston Celtics should and most likely would pass. The five-time All-Star turns 37 in September.
The Celtics could exceed expectations next season. However, they're balancing remaining competitive with gaining flexibility. Their search for external upgrades should aim for individuals worth bringing in for a look with more than this year in mind.
Love has had a spectacular career that includes lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy and two All-NBA selections. However, the 2025-26 campaign may be his last.
He appeared in 23 tilts with the Heat last season, logging 10.9 minutes per contest. He averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists. He shot a respectable 35.8 percent from beyond the arc on 2.9 three-point attempts. Still, the former UCLA Bruin has reached the point where he is a fringe rotation member.
Furthermore, Boston doesn't have a roster opening. Moving off of someone for a chance on an intriguing player early in their career, rather than to make room for Love, makes more sense. The same goes for prioritizing an accomplished veteran the franchise is interested in working with.
The Celtics are taking a smarter approach
The way Boston's maneuvering reflects a strategy that makes more sense than acquiring Love before what could be his swan song.
The 18-time NBA champions reportedly registered interest in Ben Simmons. That move appears unlikely. However, despite the concerns about bringing him aboard, the three-time All-Star turned 29 last month.
Based on his age, upside, and cost, seeing what the Celtics' player development program could do for him was a low-risk option with potential long-term payoff.
Even if Simmons turned Boston into another stop where it didn't work out for him, the price paid was worth the exploration.
The Celtics also made a signing that fits this line of thinking. They acquired Chris Boucher on a one-year, $3.3 million deal. The former ESPN's Shams Charania reports the former Toronto Raptors is expected to have a significant role in Boston.
The 32-year-old center bolsters the weakest position on his new team's depth chart. If he capitalizes on this opportunity, he could stick around beyond the upcoming campaign.
Boucher averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes across 50 games last season. He made 36.3 percent of the 3.9 threes he hoisted. The eight-year veteran has blocked nearly a shot per matchup in his career.
Like pursuing Simmons, giving Boucher this opportunity is a more worthwhile pathway than signing Love.