Last week came an unsourced story that Kevin Love was intrigued by the idea of going back West and playing for the LA Lakers. It was thrown out by a Chicago media member with little information or quotes from anyone. That quickly got swallowed up the the “weed smoking” handshake that wasn’t with Kyrie Irving.
Today Love directly refuted the Lakers interest report:
Kevin Love on the opt-out report: "Whatever (people assumed) we were doing with our hands was about as true as me going to the Lakers"
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 14, 2014
So as long as we believe that the Irving/Love handshake wasn’t about weed, we can believe that Kevin Love is not going to the Lakers. Sam Amico later gave another quote of Love’s:
Cavs F Kevin Love denied report he wants to join Lakers after season. Told reporters in Boston: "I don't know where someone got that."
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) November 14, 2014
Not sure if someone told him where the story came from but I am sure he knows.
The Lakers make very little sense for the All Star, sweet shooting power forward. He was unhappy with the Minnesota Timberwolves as they failed to surround him with much talent. He requested a trade because he wanted to play with a winning team. The Lakers are not that.
Kobe Bryant is their best player, but thinks he is still a Top 5 guy in the league. Next year will be his last year on his contract. Only the Lakers would be willing to re-sign him for the type of money he is going to want. Their lone young piece to build around, Julius Randle, is now out for the year and just happens to play the same position as Love.
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The Lakers could have the worst record in the league, scratch that the 76ers have that mantle sewed up. Yet the Lakers still could get the first pick in the draft. Jahlil Okafor is expected to be the jewel of next year’s draft. Best case scenario the Lakers would use two unproven big men, and no guard or wing players to speak of, to try to convince Love to come West.
The Lakers are a more proven commodity, it has taken a hit the past few years, and have far better weather. Love is from the Portland area and went to school in LA. Those are the very few reasons to “go home” for Love. Unlike when LeBron James chose to come home (hint: might not have happened if the team didn’t have Irving and others), Love is far less attracted to the Lakers.
Love has now said he isn’t going to the Lakers, that doesn’t mean it can’t change but it should put Cavs fans’ minds at ease.
What do you think about Kevin Love speaking out about this “rumor”?