Joakim Noah (Photo : Reuters/Dennis Wierzbicki)
The Los Angeles Lakers are the most likely destination for All-Star power forward Kevin Love and point guard Russell Westbrook, if the former UCLA Bruins standouts decide to bolt out from their respective teams, according to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst.
On his latest Hey Windy Podcast, Windhorts is apparently aware of the conspiracy theory flying around the association about the future of Love, who could become an unrestricted free-agent this summer by opting out from the final year of his deal, and Westbrook, who is bound to be a free-agent in the summer of 2017.
According to the ESPN NBA insider, the Lakers may have a solid chance in landing both Love this summer and Westbrook two years after because of their Los Angeles roots as members of the fabled UCLA team.
"Love enjoys Westbrook," Windhorst said at the 37:48 mark of his podcast via Fan Sided. "They have a relationship. there's a conspiracy theory that exists out there that Kevin Love will go to the Lakers this summer, or next summer, and then Westbrook will join him when he's a free agent, and they will reunite in LA, like they played for UCLA. The guy, the star player he has the best relationship in the league with is Westbrook."
Love, who forced his way out of Minnesota to play with Kyrie Irving and LeBron James in Cleveland, hasn't fit in well with the Cavaliers up to this point of the season. His floundering numbers (16.6 points and 10.0 rebounds - the worst since his second year in the league) along with a reported animosity between him and James are seen as factors for him to consider opting out from his contract and test the free-agency market.
Westbrook, on the other hand, is in the midst of his best season ever, as he's averaging 27.3 points and 8.7 assists per game. However, a season-ending injury to reigning MVP Kevin Durant along with his upcoming free-agency in 2016 casts a dark cloud on the future of the Thunder which has been among the top teams in the West the past five seasons.
