Lakers Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Kevin Love and More
The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t going to make any headlines on the court this season (unless Kobe Bryant breaks some scoring records), but they are certainly involved in a number of rumors in the early going.
After all, Los Angeles is always going to be one of the marquee teams in the league, and it could still be a destination for top-notch free agents this offseason. With that in mind, here is a look at the latest rumors circulating around the franchise.
Kevin Love
The NBA world was abuzz when Sam Smith of Bulls.com passed along the following rumor on Kevin Love:
"It’s not going to get as much discussion during the season, but one of the biggest issues for the Cavs is that both LeBron James and Kevin Love own opt outs after this season. LeBron James basically cannot afford to go anywhere after his return to Cleveland. But watch out for Love. Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles, where he attended college and where the Lakers long have had him on their free agent wish list.
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On paper, this pairing makes some sense. Love went to college in Los Angeles, and the Lakers will need a superstar if and when Bryant retires after his two-year contract runs out. Los Angeles is a town built on stars, and it could certainly use another gate attraction after the Bryant era is over.
However, Love threw some cold water on those rumors recently, via Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com:
Of course, anything Love says during the season has to be taken with a grain of salt because it’s not like he is going to publicly state that he is looking elsewhere while he has a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform on. Still, it’s hard to imagine a situation that is better suited for Love’s unique talents than playing alongside LeBron James in Cleveland.
Love can drill three-pointers when defenders collapse on penetration from James and Kyrie Irving or hit shots off pick-and-pops. What’s more, Love can set up the transition game with rebounding and outlet passes.
Cleveland is on the short list of NBA title contenders. Even if they get Love, the Lakers have a long way to go to get back on that list.
Remember Tyrus Thomas from the Final Four LSU team that featured Glen Davis? He caught the attention of scouts everywhere with his athleticism and reached the NBA in the process.
He may be back in the Association soon in purple and gold if the latest, via Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, is any indication:
Thomas did play with the Chicago Bulls for four seasons and then laced it up for the Charlotte for four seasons after that. He averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds a game during that stretch, but he has not been in the NBA since the Bobcats (now the Hornets) placed him on amnesty waivers in 2013.
The Lakers were granted the disabled-player exception, but it is unlikely that they would need to use anything more than a minimum contract on Thomas.
The Lakers need bodies with Steve Nash and Julius Randle out for the season, and Thomas is a versatile and athletic option who can play either forward position. Los Angeles could certainly find a place for him.
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