CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers are not actively shopping All-Star forward Kevin Love heading into Thursday's NBA draft, multiple sources told ESPN on Wednesday. Furthermore, regardless of what decision LeBron James makes about his future in Cleveland, the Cavs have interest in keeping Love next season, sources said.
Love, who will turn 30 in September, averaged 17.6 points on 45.8 percent shooting (41.5 percent from 3) and 9.3 rebounds in 59 games during the regular season. He missed 21 games in February and March because of a broken hand.
His numbers dipped in the postseason to 14.9 points on 39.2 percent shooting (34 percent from 3) and 10.2 rebounds per game. Cleveland advanced to the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year.
Heading into the playoffs, Love -- who was offered to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Paul George last June -- acknowledged that it could be his last go-round with the team that traded its No. 1 pick, Andrew Wiggins, to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Love in 2014. That trade and James' return in free agency ushered in the most successful era in Cavs history.
"It could be my last run, too, so you just never know," Love told ESPN in April. "The unknown is something that you try to just put out of your hands for a certain amount of time. [You] just go out there and lose yourself in it and everything will fall where it needs to."
Cleveland, owner of the No. 8 pick in the draft, will make the selection without knowing James' intention for next season, multiple sources told ESPN. James is currently on vacation with his family, sources said. He has to inform the Cavs whether he intends to opt out of the final year of his contract by June 29.
The Cavs are entering the draft with the intention of selecting a player they will keep on their team next season. There is interest in finding a young playmaker to add to their veteran core, and Cleveland believes it will have the opportunity to choose from an available pool that will include Collin Sexton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr., Kevin Knox, Mikal Bridges and others.
Cleveland has inquired about the availability of San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, but the franchise does not believe it has the realistic assets to convince the Spurs to deal the former NBA Finals MVP, considering what other teams on the market can offer.
After the Cavs' series-ending Game 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals earlier this month, Love addressed the uncertainty surrounding his and James' futures with the team.
"Obviously, I'd love to play with LeBron the rest of my career, but that will be a choice that he makes," Love said.
Love was then asked if he thought the Finals sweep could end up being his last appearance in a Cleveland uniform.
"Anything is possible," Love said. "People have been saying that for the past four years. I knew that question would come. But I like to be here. I've always said that. Always wanted to win here."
Love has two years remaining on his contract with the Cavs worth approximately $49.6 million; however, he has a player option for the final year of the deal in the 2019-20 season.