Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love reportedly is considering opting out of his contract in the summer and signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. The MVP is "seriously" considering making the jump in the offseason as a free agent, according to Sam Smith of Bulls.com.
While Love is expected to opt out of his contract this summer, it might not be Cleveland where he ends up. Smith reported Love is "seriously" considering leaving the Cavaliers after the season.
"It's not going to get as much discussion during the season, but one of the biggest issues for the Cavs is that both LeBron James and Kevin Love own opt outs after this season," Smith wrote Monday. "LeBron James basically cannot afford to go anywhere after his return to Cleveland. But watch out for Love. Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles, where he attended college and where the Lakers long have had him on their free agent wish list."
Love has been linked to the Lakers before. The Lakers, along with the New York Knicks, were named as the two most likely destinations for Love after he purportedly told the Minnesota Timberwolves after last season he would opt out of his contract this July.
If Love does opt out, the Lakers would have the cap space to sign him to a max-level contract.
Love has gone from the No. 1 option on a team to the No. 2 or 3 option. While Love's touches have decreased, he's insisted he is fine with whatever his role is on the Cavaliers and is willing to do whatever the team asks for him. Cleveland is 2-3, but there's no need to hit the panic button yet: the Miami Heat started off the same way in their first season with James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
