NBA Rumors: LeBron James could reunite with former Cavaliers champion on the Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been active in building a competitive roster around Luka Doncic and LeBron James this NBA offseason, even as James’ own future remains undecided. Amid those moves, one of James’ former championship teammates from his Cleveland Cavaliers days is reportedly eyeing a reunion in Los Angeles.

The player in question is Kevin Love, who was traded to the Utah Jazz in the recent three-team deal that sent Norman Powell to the Miami Heat and John Collins to the Jazz. According to Brett Siegel, Love is expected to pursue a buyout agreement and is interested in joining either the Lakers or the Los Angeles Clippers.

“Word around the league surrounding Love is that he wants to end up in Los Angeles, sources said,” Siegel reported. The ClutchPoints insider also cited Marc Stein, who reported that Love is actively seeking ways to exit Utah, making a buyout more likely.

This move would reunite Love with LeBron from their successful run with the Cavaliers, where they won the 2015-16 NBA championship and reached three other Finals together.

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts with Kevin Love #0 after drawing a foul against the Atlanta Hawks. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Both the Lakers and Clippers currently have an open roster spot, but salary-cap constraints complicate a potential signing. “Both the Clippers and Lakers still have one open roster spot,” Siegel wrote.

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NBA Rumors: LeBron James reportedly has his future set with the Lakers

“But if the Lakers were to pursue Love and reunite him with LeBron, they would need to move off another contract since they are hard-capped at the first apron and just $1.1 million from this mark. When looking at the Clippers, they are basically in the same situation, as they are $1.2 million from their first apron hard cap,” he added.

Love on potential retirement

There has also been speculation about the 36-year-old forward possibly retiring after his recent stint with the Miami Heat. Love has not confirmed his next steps but acknowledged he is in the latter stages of his career.

“I think you start preparing for ‘Plan B,’ I mean, if you’re smart and if you have the presence of mind to do it early in your career… I mean that idea of athletic mortality at this stage of my career, where I’m certainly over the hill and looking at the twilight. There’s things that I’m having to consider,” Kevin Love said, via Hoda Kotb.