Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The National Basketball Association (NBA) offseason is in full swing as teams start to make moves in preparation for the 2015-16 NBA season,
Here is a quick recap of the offseason activity on Thursday (June 25 PHT).
Kevin Love opts out
Fresh from his first season with the NBA finalists, center Kevin Love has reportedly opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is set to test the free agency on July 1.
Prior to his decision, Love was set to earn US$16.7 million for the last year of his contract.
Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has stated that he expected Love and teammate LeBron James to opt out of their current contracts, but also expects for them to resign with the Cavs.
Love missed out on most of the Cavs’ postseason run after suffering a season ending shoulder injury in the hands of Celtics center Kelly Olynyk during their first round encounter.
Read: LeBron James ‘promises’ to get better
Monta Ellis declines option
After two seasons with the Mavericks, Monta Ellis has opted to test free agency and decline his player option for the 2015-16 season.
By opting out, Ellis has turned down a salary of US$8.72 million for next season.
According to reports from ESPN’s Chirs Broussard and Tim McMahon, Ellis’ agent Jeff Friend believes that opting out was the best move to make.
“This decision was made because it’s in the best interest of Monta,” said Friend.
Despite opting out, Friend has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the Mavericks.
“It was more about him taking his future into his own hands. Monta’s experience in Dallas was definitely a positive one,” said Friend. “The team and the organization had success and Monta grew as a player. A door to return there will always be open.”
Nicolas Batum moves to Charlotte
The Hornets are active in the offseason once again and have pulled off a move that saw Nicolas Batum move to Charlotte.
In return, the Portland Trail Blazers receive the services of sophomore center Noah Vonleh and veteran guard Gerald Henderson.
After the move, Trail Blazers’ President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey praised Batum’s impact on the franchise.
“Nic Batum was a key contributor to all of our recent success,” said Olshey. “He will truly be missed as a person and a player. We wish Nic all the best for the future.”
The trade happened days after the Hornets shipped out Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Read: Hornets acquire Batum from Blazers for Vonleh, Henderson
Jeremy Lamb set for Charlotte
The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to send guard Jeremy Lamb to the Charlotte Hornets in a deal that involves the contract of Matt Barnes, according to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer.
The Hornets find themselves in need of reinforcements at the shooting guard position after sending Lance Stephenson and Gerald Henderson to the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers, respectively.
Lamb is seen as the first step in restoring the depleted two spot for the Hornets.
Related: Clippers acquire Lance Stephenson in trade
