It has already been confirmed that the reason Kevin Love opted to stay with the Utah Jazz is that he wouldn't have had any suitors on the open market. However, what further accentuated his decision was that Russell Westbrook and Ben Simmons, two players who had better seasons than Love, will likely start the season without a team, further showing that Love was out of options.
It would be beyond shocking if Love's impact with the Jazz came from what he can still do as a basketball player. He only played in 23 games, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and one assist a game. It's pretty standard stuff from a former NBA star who's entering his late-30s.
However, both Simmons and Westbrook played more games than Love did and were much more impactful. That is especially the case with Westbrook, as the former MVP played a role in Denver's last playoff run.
In Denver's playoff run, Westbrook averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 39% from the field. Are those the best numbers? Far from it, especially knowing what Westbrook was capable of was his prime, but those are numbers of someone who helped.
Simmons wasn't as counted on as Westbrook was, but he averaged five points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in his time with the Clippers and Nets. Despite having better seasons than Love, both are free agents who might not get a team until midseason.
Love not getting another team is not surprising, but those two remaining on the market is. Because of that, Love definitely made the right choice sticking around.
It might not necessarily be over for Love after this season
Love's best days as a basketball player are very much behind him. However, certain players have managed to stay in the NBA because of their veteran presence. Deandre Jordan's career lasted several years after it was clear his prime was gone, and not only did he stick around, but he won a title out of it.
Same goes for Udonis Haslem. The writing had been on the wall for years that his time was up, but he still stuck around for what seemed like a decade after the last season he was useful in Miami. Love could follow a similar arc, whether it's in Utah or somewhere else.
If he was going to make a stink about playing for the Jazz, a. he would have done it by now and b. they would have gotten rid of him. The fact that they haven't shows that Utah believes in what Love could provide to the locker room. His contributions may not do much for their play on the court, but it could be the influence they need to reach their potential.