The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a splash in free agency after the season, and according to one NBA analyst, it's going to be a huge splash. ESPN analyst Jalen Rose believes Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love and Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo both will sign with Los Angeles as free agents in July.
Both players have been linked to Los Angeles this season, and according to Rose, both players will end up there this summer.
"Kevin Love will be one and done with the Cavs ... I think he and Rajon Rondo will be Lakers next year," Rose said on a Grantland podcast Thursday, according to SportsGrid. "I think Lakers (are going to) find a way to add both of those players. (Love is) considered to be having a down year - he's averaging 17 and 10. He's still one of the top 10 players in the Eastern Conference. You (want to) win while that guy's on your roster."
The talk all season, despite the Cavaliers turning things around and now sitting No. 2 in the East, has been how Love isn't sold on staying in Cleveland beyond this season. Most reports paint Love on the fence about whether to opt out of his contract and test free agency in July, with a report from Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler indicating Love will only stay in Cleveland if he believes he can become an integral part of the team.
Rondo is considered more of a sure-bet to leave the Mavericks after the season, given how it just hasn't worked out for him in Dallas after being traded by the Boston Celtics in December. Multiple reports have linked Rondo to the Lakers, with one going as far as calling Rondo a "mortal lock" to sign with Los Angeles as a free agent.
A report from Kyler in March indicated Love and Rondo, along with Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe, were willing to meet with the Lakers in July.
Los Angeles could have around $19-20 million to spend in free agency.
