CLEVELAND — A person familiar with the decision says Cavaliers forward Kevin Love has opted out of the final year of his contract and will be a free agent on July 1.
Love came to Cleveland last summer in a blockbuster trade. He had a Thursday deadline to inform the Cavs of his plans. The former All-Star has said he wants to return to the Cavs, who made it to the NBA Finals this season despite not having Love after he suffered a shoulder injury in the first round.
Love can test the market, where he will likely draw major interest. He has to decide if he'd rather go elsewhere or stay in Cleveland and chase an NBA title with superstar LeBron James.
While his role changed during his first season with Cleveland, Love still averaged 16.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 75 starts.
Charlotte: Henderson, Vonleh to Blazers for Batum
CHARLOTTE, N.C -- A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade guard Gerald Henderson and power forward Noah Vonleh to Portland for small forward Nic Batum.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the trade has not been approved by the NBA.
The 6-foot-8, 200-pound Batum spent the last seven seasons with Portland. He started 71 games in 2014-15, averaging 9.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
The Hornets finished last in the league last season in 3-point shooting. Batum is a career 36 percent 3-point shooter, although he shot a career-low 32.4 percent last season.
Henderson is the longest-tenured player on Charlotte's roster. Vonleh was the No. 9 overall pick in 2014.
Mavericks: Ellis declines option
DALLAS — Monta Ellis is declining the player option for the final year of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks and will become an unrestricted free agent.
The guard's agent, Jeff Fried, said Wednesday the decision "wasn't about Dallas as much as it was about what's best for Monta."
Ellis was set to make $8.7 million in the final year of a three-year, $25 million contract. Fried didn't rule out a return to Dallas, but the Mavericks are expected to make a push for either All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge or center DeAndre Jordan in free agency.
The 29-year-old Ellis led Dallas at 18.9 points per game last season. He is one of three starters headed to free agency along with point guard Rajon Rondo, who won't return, and center Tyson Chandler.
Magic: Ridnour dealt to Grizzlies
ORLANDO, Fla. — A person familiar with the deal says The Orlando Magic have agreed to send reserve point guard Luke Ridnour to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to forward Janis Timma.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not officially been announced. The trade was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
The 34-year-old Ridnour appeared in 47 games last season for the Magic, averaging four points and two assists per game. He has played a total of 12 seasons in the NBA for five different teams.
Timma, a 6-foot-7 Latvian, was drafted by Memphis 30th overall in 2013. He has yet to play a regular season NBA game and currently plays in Europe.
