The LA Lakers will likely draft Brandon Ingram with the no.2 pick-if they keep it. An opportunity could suddenly arise.
Love has always been linked to trade rumors regarding the LA Lakers since his Minnesota days, but it was obvious he wants to make the playoffs. Playing with LeBron definitely delivered that as he went all the way to the Finals.
The problem is, another Cavs loss will send them back home ringless and Love is almost certain to be the fall guy. While that's not a good reason to trade a former All-Star, Tom Ziller of SB Nation offered a better rationale.
"As such, paying through the nose for a power forward who can't regularly play center or small forward -- that'd be Love -- doesn't make much sense," Ziller noted. "Even if James only plays heavy minutes at power forward in the playoffs against certain teams, there's probably a much better way to use the resources going to pay Love."
Ziller also provided more than a dozen trade scenarios for Love, and this included the LA Lakers.
"Kevin Love belongs in L.A. The No. 2 pick (Brandon Ingram, basically) is too steep a price, but the Lakers can offer Julius Randle, Larry Nance, future draft considerations -- maybe some package of those assets goes to a third team listed above who can offer the right talent to Cleveland?"
This might be too steep for the Lakers. They were hoping to trade no.2 for a superstar (which would then be preposterous on their part). This was discussed by ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton who came to the conclusion that it's a wise move but it depends on which player they trade it for.
"If they keep their pick, the Lakers would be foolish to rule out trading it for the right player. There's too much value to be had in potentially adding a star in his prime whose salary is small enough that the Lakers could still add top free agents who would be interested in playing with him," Pelton wrote.
Kevin Love is the right kind of player but there are two caveats in this scenario. Firstly, Randle has to go if they get Love. Neither of them can play center at this point. Even if the Lakers get Love with no.2 and a lower value asset, their power forward spot is clogged and they still don't have a center.
The second is that the Cavs want a piece to win now. Ingram is a great piece but the agenda for the Cavs is clear as day. The only way this can work is if another team gets involved.