Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could be the host of a potential Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love reunion, with both stars in the heat of trade rumors around the league.
It is no secret the Lakers intend to win-now after two dismal seasons, but LA's summer signings are not too convincing the 16-time NBA champs are ready to become relevant in the NBA map again.
So far, the Lakers have only signed a pair of veterans in Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng, who are unlikely to bolt the franchise into title contention next season. And with the market already out of top stars to help them in their ultimate cause, the Lakers may rely on the trade market to add the star players they need.
Considering the trade rumors surrounding Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love, the Lakers might as well take advantage of exploring a deal for the former UCLA teammates, who both have strong ties in Los Angeles.
Shortly after Kevin Durant made his decision to join the Golden State Warriors, speculations around the league have Westbrook the next to bolt out of Oklahoma City. The Thunder have ever since mulling about extending the contract of Westbrook, who is entering the final year of his five-year $78.5 million contract with the Thunder. But David Aldridge of NBA.com claimed there is no chance Westbrook would considering such move, especially with the cap limit for teams rising next year.
Fox Sports' Rob Perez suggested a trade scenario that would send Westbrook to the Lakers for a number of LA's young talents, including D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Larry Nance, along with veteran shooting guard Lou Williams.
"So why trade the franchise's entire future for one year of a superstar who could technically leave after the season? Because you have spoken to Westbrook and he has declared he's going to play for an LA-based team next year no matter what," Perez wrote.
"Because the only leverage you have right now at pulling in a big name (other than being based in Los Angeles) is being able to offer him that precious fifth year and more money than anyone else ever in the history of the NBA."
With Westbrook, the Lakers have themselves a bona fide star who can wheel the franchise back into its winning ways. However, Westbrook alone won't probably give the Lakers much chance competing against the likes of Warriors, Spurs and Cavs, which is why LA needs another star. Enter Kevin Love.
Like Westbrook, Love is also a California native and has strong ties in Los Angeles. The 27-year-old power forward, who just won his first NBA championship with the Cavs, would give the Lakers another proven veteran who can crash the boards and score in many ways.
Love has not been a fit playing behind LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, and would certainly relish a role where he could once again become a double-double machine when he was still playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Lakers, presumably able to trade for Westbrook, Love could become LA's top offensive threat.
There are rumors about Love being the odd man out in Cleveland, with the Cavs attempting to make room for some quality signings in free agency. With a potential Dwyane Wade and James reunion on the table for the Cavs, there is a growing sense they would consider trading Love and absorb the remaining years of his five-year $110 million deal he signed last year.
It would be intriguing to see if the Lakers pursue Love and/or Westbrook, but it would likely cost them plenty of young talents to pull off such deal. And while there are no confirmed reports of the Lakers showing interests in trading for either Love or Westbrook, it is a no-brainer for a rebuilding team trying to win to attempt a blockbuster deal for veteran stars.
