Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love
Sep 26, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) poses for a photo during media day at Cleveland Clinic Courts. Reuters

The constant speculations on the future of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love have been quashed as the all-star player has declared that he will not exercise his player option for the 2015-2016, which will make him a free agent this summer. The announcement comes despite the struggles of the club, which has fallen to 0.500 at 19-19 as well as the lack of identity of the ultra-talented roster midway into the season.

"I think that we will figure it out here, so I don't plan on opting out or any of that," Love told Chris Haynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I plan on being here. As far as leaving my options open, I mean sure, it's always there. At the end of the day, it's always good to have something but no, I plan on being here."

The former UCLA product is choosing to stay a guaranteed year and earn the final year of his contract worth $16.7 million. The former Minnesota Timberwolves franchise player is expectedly targeting the market of 2016 when the new television deal kicks in, the salary cap goes higher and a new maximum salary may be in place.

Even with the latest controversy between head coach David Blatt and his starting power forward, Love has professed his loyalty to the club and said that he is staying long-term. After the Cavaliers' blowout loss to the Sacramento Kings, Blatt was quoted as describing his ward as "not being a max player yet," which was interpreted in NBA circles as the coach undermining his player. Both sides have already cleared the air when they talked face to face and are now ready to move on.

The former three-point shooting champion also shared that he is growing acclimated to life in Ohio and has even started a community program aimed at teaching young kids of community spirit and volunteerism. Much like his early days in Minnesota, the power forward is looking forward to making new friends outside the ball club and becoming a part of the community.

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