Kevin Love has been unhappy in Cleveland for quite a while now. Since LeBron James departed in 2018, the 5-time NBA All-Star has been at the center of rumors linking him with a move away from the franchise.
The Cavaliers have started the current season quite well, but that has been thanks to newly-acquired young stars like Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen. Cleveland is in the middle of rebuilding with young players, meaning Love isn’t exactly the type of player they need.
Considering that, the power forward has been linked with a whole host of contenders that may be able to use him, including the Los Angeles Lakers. Love has previously played with LeBron James and the Lakers clearly value experience this season, considering that they are the oldest squad in the league.
However, there is apparently another connection that could see Love move to LA, with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype podcast suggesting that Russell Westbrook could be the reason Love makes the move.
“Coming into the year, some people wondered if he’d have kind of a Blake Griffin situation, get bought out, and people were speculating maybe he’d go to the Lakers… because of his relationship with Russell Westbrook.”
Westbrook and Love were teammates in college, both a part of the 2007-08 UCLA Bruins team. Although they didn’t win the college championship together, both made All-Pac-10 teams before going on to enjoy great success in the NBA.
Scotto went on to say that Love is an asset to the Cavaliers, meaning they hope to get something in return for the player. Apparently, they are not open to the idea of salary-dumping Love or giving assets away just to move his contract.
Love is under contract till 2023 though, and he is owed upwards of $28 million both this season and the next. Any move for the big man will have to involve the Cavaliers buying Love out, as salary-matching will be nearly impossible otherwise.
