Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love shoots over Los Angeles Lakers' Ryan Kelly. (Photo : Getty Images)
Kevin Love to the Los Angeles Lakers is not a new rumor that is for sure. Even before he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2014, a lot of speculations have already suggested that the former UCLA standout will go back and play for his hometown squad sooner or later.
Two summers later and with an NBA title around his waist, the rumors and hopes of California fans are still ongoing for a potential homecoming of the 27-year-old three-time All-Star from Santa Monica.
The trade route is the only way it could happen, though, as Love is just entering the second season of his five-year, $113.2 million deal with the Cavs that will earn him a yearly average of $22.6 million.
However, a trade would be almost impossible at the moment as the Lakers' top two highest-paid players and potential future trade baits, Luol Deng ($18 million/year) and Timofey Mozgov ($14.9 million/year), were just recently acquired and thus cannot be included in any deals for salary-matching purposes.
If the Lakers had made a move for the 2011 NBA Most Improved Player before they acquired the abovementioned players, which they had the chance to do in June, then they would have had Love without the complications of the salary cap since they just unloaded the salaries of the now retired Kobe Bryant and out-of-place center Roy Hibbert.
Love in exchange for D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Lou Williams is possible, according to ESPN's NBA Trade Machine, but Mitch Kupchak and company will definitely not agree with such a deal that would give away basically the team's future.
Still, if the Lakers really want to snag Love, the team will probably find a way to get a deal done without sacrificing the foundation of their future roster and even when there are not much pieces left to swap with.
Sportsnaut indicated that new Lakers head coach Luke Walton is trying to find an ideal stretch four for the Golden State-like system that he will attempt to implement in the Hollywood squad this coming season and Love fits the bill in any way one looks at it.
Walton is said to be in need of a low post player that has range well beyond the three-point line and could grab rebounds by the buckets consistently. That is pretty much Love's calling card and if the Lakers have the opportunity to get him then they should take it soonest.
