Love’s ties with L.A. suggest that they are favourites to sign him.
Ahead of becoming a free agent in 2015, it is speculated that Kevin Love would consider both the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls as well as the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to reports, Love is interested in exploring his options given the Minnesota Timberwolves’ inability to offer regular playoff basketball much less competing for an NBA championship.
While the Lakers continue to be mentioned as the most likely destination given his college ties with city, he has previously downplayed that possibility and suggested that he would happy to remain in Minnesota if the right moves are made to make them a contender.
Nevertheless, if the frustration continues through next season, the 25-year-old could be forced to change his mind and consider his options, and as reported by ESPN, he could also be open to offers from both New York and Chicago.
“Love’s ties to L.A. are undeniable. He went to college at UCLA. His father, Stan, played for the Lakers — and coincidentally was on the 1974-75 team, a.k.a. the worst team in Lakers history up until this season, so his son could help make up for that. And Love was born in Santa Monica, to boot,” ESPN Los Angeles writer Dave McMenamin noted.
“A source familiar with Love’s thinking told ESPNLosAngeles.com that it’s not just L.A. that is appealing to Love; he’s enamored with the idea of being “big time in a big city,” and that list of potential places he’d seek includes New York and Chicago, as well.”
At this stage it is impossible to be certain over where Love will eventually end up given that the Timberwolves could even be forced into a trade deal if they don’t receive guarantees from the power forward that he will resign with them in the summer of 2015.
There are also financial aspects to consider for Love although he has to weigh that up with the benefits of playing in a bigger market, and so it remains to be seen if there are any early developments in the situation over the next year.
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