NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Could Reunite LeBron James with $8 Million Former Cleveland Cavaliers Teammate to improve title odds
The
Los Angeles Lakers
may have a chance to bring back a familiar face to their roster this summer. According to reports,
Kevin Love
,
LeBron James
' former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate and a key figure in the franchise's historic 2016 NBA Finals victory, is a strong buyout candidate after being traded to the Utah Jazz.
Kevin Love's Future in Utah Remains Uncertain
The
Miami Heat
recently sent the 36-year-old veteran forward to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade. However, there's growing speculation that Love won't suit up for the rebuilding Jazz at all.
'Kevin Love is certainly a buyout candidate in Utah,' reported Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on X on Monday. (H/t: Sporting News)
That development opens the door for contending teams like
the Lakers
to explore a potential reunion between Love and James, though it remains to be seen if the Lakers can navigate the buyout market successfully.
LeBron James and Kevin Love's Championship History
Kevin Love (Image via Getty)
James and Love spent four memorable seasons together with the Cavaliers. In 2014, after James returned to Cleveland from Miami, the franchise orchestrated a blockbuster trade to acquire Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While their first season together ended in heartbreak due to injuries, the 2015-16 season marked one of the most iconic championship runs in NBA history. The Cavaliers, down 3-1 in the Finals against the
Golden State Warriors
, stormed back to win the series, clinching Cleveland's first-ever NBA title.
The defining moment came late in Game 7, when Love delivered arguably the biggest defensive play of his career. Tasked with guarding Warriors superstar Stephen Curry in isolation, Love's lateral footwork and persistence forced Curry into a contested three-pointer that missed the mark. Cleveland held on for a 93-89 win, cementing their place in history.
What Kevin Love Brings to the Table Now
While Love is no longer the All-Star he once was, he remains a serviceable veteran who can stretch the floor and bring experience to a playoff-bound team. With the Heat last season, Love posted modest numbers:
Stat
Value
Points per game
5.3
Rebounds per game
4.1
Field Goal Percentage
35.7%
Three-Point Percentage
35.8%
The Lakers, looking to bolster their bench with shooting and veteran presence, could benefit from a low-risk addition like Love, provided the Jazz agree to a buyout.
Also read:
Golden State Warriors Pushing to Land $45 million Indiana Pacers guard in Heated Sign-and-Trade Battle with the Los Angeles Lakers
Will the Reunion Happen?
Time will tell whether the Jazz part ways with the five-time All-Star and if the Lakers express serious interest. Though the possibility remains slim, a Love-James reunion in Los Angeles isn't entirely off the table. Given their shared history and James' influence in roster decisions, the scenario is certainly worth monitoring as the offseason progresses.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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