Lakers set for sitdown with Love, sources say
The Los Angeles Lakers will meet with free agent Kevin Love later this week, according to league sources.
One source said the Lakers have heard Love is likely to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they still want to sit down with him. The meeting will be part of a busy week for the Lakers, who also will meet with LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe.
Besides securing a top-flight power forward, either Aldridge or Love, the Lakers hope to add a center. In addition to Jordan and Monroe, the Lakers have interest in Tyson Chandler and Robin Lopez, Aldridge’s teammate in Portland the past two seasons, sources said. The Lakers also will place a call to Marc Gasol, although the All-Star center is widely expected to re-sign with Memphis.
The Lakers cannot clear enough cap room to sign two max-salaried players.
The Lakers also have interest in Dwyane Wade and Tobias Harris, although filling out their front line is the club’s top priority.
For most of the past season, executives around the NBA believed Love would leave the Cavaliers to sign with the Lakers. Love has steadily maintained his allegiance to Cleveland, stating several times that he plans to re-sign with the Cavs. Cleveland is expected to offer Love a five-year max deal, worth approximately $110 million, as soon as league rules allow. Free agents, however, cannot sign until July 9, which gives Love time to meet with other clubs.
Love, who is from Oregon, has ties to Los Angeles; he played collegiately at UCLA and lives in Los Angeles during the offseason.
The Lakers’ pitch to top-shelf free agents, including Love, will focus on the chance to be a star on the league’s glamour team, the opportunity for global exposure, and the fact that the Lakers have enough cap room going forward to add stars and complementary talent next summer, one source said.
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