Kevin Love denied reports suggesting that he will consider signing with the Los Angeles Lakers when he becomes a free agent after the 2014-15 NBA season.
Love told Jason Lloyd of Akron Beacon Journal that he is not planning to sign with the Lakers next summer, saying that he doesn't even know where the talks about his desire to leave Cleveland is coming from.
"Going to the Lakers, I don't know where someone got that," said Love, who is playing in his first season in Cleveland after he was traded to the Cavaliers from the Minnesota Timberwolves during the offseason.
Love, who is averaging 18.7 points to go along with 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season, could opt out of the final year of his contract after the current season to hit free agency next summer.
Like Love, LeBron James could also become a free agent next summer. According to Sam Smith of Bulls.com, James will likely stay in Cleveland until he retires, but the Cavaliers should be wary of Love's contract situation.
"LeBron James and Kevin Love own opt outs after this season. LeBron James basically cannot afford to go anywhere after his return to Cleveland," Smith wrote. "But watch out for Love. Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles."
Smith pointed out that Love, a California native, would be interested in a homecoming next summer. The 26-year-old forward also played at UCLA during his collegiate basketball career, but DeAntae Prince of Sporting News refutes Smith's report, saying that Love won't be interested in moving to the Lakers.
Love wants to win a championship in the near future and he is in a good position to do so if he stays in Cleveland along with James and Kyrie Irving. Cleveland is also the lone team who can offer a maximum five-year contract to Love when his current deal expires.
"Love left the Minnesota Timberwolves because he felt he couldn't win there. In six seasons, Love played at an All-Star level and failed to make the postseason," Prince wrote. "The Lakers offer a basketball situation similar to that in Minnesota and cannot put more money on the table than Cleveland."
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