From Rip City to the City of Brotherly Love: Caleb Love Signs Two-Way Deal with the Philadelphia 76ers
The era of Caleb Love in Rip City has officially ended as the 6-foot-3 guard has signed a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Love initially joined the Blazers on a two-way deal after last summer's NBA draft and exceeded expectations in his rookie season. Despite starting due to injuries, Love played in 49 out of 50 NBA games on his two-way contract, showcasing his scoring ability in several wins for Portland.
Throughout the season, Love averaged 10.4 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 20.7 minutes per game, with a 31.8% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Despite early shooting struggles, Love found his rhythm in January, scoring 14.5 points per game with a 34.5% 3-point shooting percentage. His scoring prowess helped the Blazers secure a six-game winning streak in early January, improving their playoff positioning.
There was speculation that the Blazers might convert Love's two-way deal to a standard contract due to his impact and scoring contributions. However, with the return of injured guards like Scoot Henderson, Blake Wesley, Matissse Thybulle, and Jrue Holiday, Love's playing time decreased, and he was eventually out of the rotation in February.
Now, Love, who will turn 25 in October, is set to join a revamped 76ers team that recently acquired All-Star Jaylen Brown. The 76ers have also added former Blazers Anfernee Simons and Rayan Rupert to their roster this week. Love's move to Philadelphia marks a new chapter in his career as he looks to make an impact with his new team.