NBA champion Kevin Love is being linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns, according to Matt Moore of Action Network. The 34-year-old becomes an unrestricted free agent at 6 PM ET on June 30 and Love could leave the Miami Heat for the Lakers or Suns.
“Two names that have surfaced in recent days connected to the Lakers are Cam Reddish and Miami Heat forward, Kevin Love,” Moore wrote.
Love played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Heat this past season. He averaged 8.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 62 games while shooting 38.9% from the field, 33.4% from beyond the arc and 87.9% from the free-throw line. The power forward helped the Heat reach the 2023 NBA Finals, where Miami lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games.
A five-time All-Star, Love isn’t the superstar he was when he was on the Minnesota Timberwolves and when he first got to the Cavaliers in 2014, but he’s a terrific veteran for a locker room and a player who knows what it takes to win at the highest level. Love has played in five NBA Finals and helped the Cavaliers win the 2016 title over the 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Love, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
Due to turning 35 in September, Love is limited defensively but has managed to stay on the floor year after year on the strength of his offensive game. The former Most Improved Player of the Year is still a brilliant passer and defensive rebounder. Love could give the Lakers or Suns everything they need in a 20-minute-per-game reserve.
Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James and Love were teammates in Cleveland for four seasons. They are very close friends, so that could sway Love to sign with Los Angeles. Love was also born in Santa Monica, California.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kevin Love, Los Angeles Lakers & Phoenix Suns Updates
A future Hall of Famer, Love has career averages of 16.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Heat. It will be fascinating to see where the UCLA product is playing next season.
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