Reports suggest that the Utah Jazz are working on a contract buyout for 37-year-old power forward Kevin Love. The former Cleveland Cavaliers star is on the lookout for a new team, despite being assigned reduced minutes last season due to injuries.
NBA fans could not contain their excitement as Love’s contract buyout makes him open to being signed by his former teammate, LeBron James’ new-look Lakers, with Luka Doncic. The idea of the reunion is something fans are pitching themselves:
“I think it’s fitting the Lakers do a three/two for one trade for Wiggins and pick up Kevin.”
“The Lakers could use him.”
“He will sign with the Lakers right after the Andrew Wiggins trade.
“Lowkey, I feel like he’s gonna be a Laker.”
”He’s a Laker or going back to Cleveland.”
“For once, the ‘future Laker’ meme makes sense.”
“Most obvious laker.”
Most fans saw him going to the Lakers, but some others thought going elsewhere or even retiring might be Love’s best option.
“tbh I think he should just retire unless he joins the Cavs, the dudes made all his money, won a championship, and had a full career. I don’t know what else is in store for him,” said a fan on X.
“Warriors **** it, we lost out on Brongdon. A veteran who can mentor post,” said another fan.
Love’s contract was seen as one of the most veteran-friendly contracts, with the Miami Heat giving him a two-year, $8 million deal. In July 2025, he was traded to the Utah Jazz, and now the franchise is planning to buy out his $4.1 million contract.
Despite fans’ excitement, they also understand that Love is a shell of his former self, when he could defend well, shoot extremely well, and provide a solid third option without any drama.
But that life is behind him, and now he’s a veteran role player who can give you decent minutes and also help out with the bench scoring, secondary unit, and keeping momentum going.
Last season, he averaged 10.9 minutes per game, where he posted 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. It was a significant drop-off from the previous year, when he averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, playing 16.8 minutes on average.
So, the 37-year-old veteran cannot appear on the stat line as he used to. But he can be a solid mentor for the team and also provide consistent bench minutes that could be crucial for a team in its building stage, like the Lakers.
They also have readymade chemistry between Love and James, and this could be a second shot at making a big three at this late stage of their careers. Their championship run in 2016 will go down as one of the best runs ever.
But can they retrace some of that greatness and make the Lakers great again? Or do you think Love will end up going to the Cavaliers or the Warriors? Let us know your opinion in the comments section.
