NBA Rumors: ‘Every Executive’ Believes Kevin Love Will Leave Cleveland

USA Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers may be well on their way to winning their first NBA title in franchise history. LeBron James and company are firing on all cylinders after crushing the Atlanta Hawks in consecutive games on the road in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Although the Cavaliers may easily make their way passed the Hawks and possibly get the best of the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series, Kevin Love still appears to be set on leaving the team in NBA free agency.

Even though Love has downplayed the prospect of leaving the team this summer, all signs point to the contrary. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently said the following about Love’s future, via Real GM:

“Every executive I talk to, every agent I talk to, every quasi insider, every girlfriend’s cousin’s sister’s boyfriend all says this guy is out of there,” said Brian Windhorst during a podcast with Zach Lowe.

“I hear the same thing from everybody,” said Lowe. “From everyone that is two or three or four steps removed. I don’t quite believe all of that … Part of what’s going on there is the Lakers’ boogeyman. They don’t just say he’s out of there, they say ‘He’s going to the Lakers.’ That has much to do with the fear people have of the Lakers as it does with Kevin Love.”

With the Los Angeles Lakers having ample cap space and currently looking for a superstar for Kobe Bryant to pass the torch to, Love fits the bill and has many ties to Los Angeles. Although the Cavaliers may be ready to offer a max deal to Love if he opts out of his contract in July, the appeal of returning to Los Angeles may be too tempting for the three-time All-Star.

The Lakers won’t be the only team gunning for Love if he hits the free-agent market as the Boston Celtics will also throw their hat into the ring. Other teams will likely emerge if Love becomes available, but the consensus remains that he’ll be bound for Los Angeles.