New Lakers Rumors Update LeBron James, Kevin Love Contract Buzz Ahead of NBA Free Agency

Former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates LeBron James and Kevin Love could be reuniting on the Los Angeles Lakers roster next season, ESPN's Marc J. Spears said Wednesday on NBA Today.

According to Spears, James is "likely coming back" while Love "could likely be joining the Lakers, too."

"I could see those two guys being reunited there," Spears said.

Both James and Love are currently set to hit unrestricted free agency when their respective contracts expire on June 30.

The news comes shortly after Love and James reunited in London while celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2016 NBA title they won together with the Cavaliers.

Love, who will turn 38 in September, played last season under a $4.15 million cap hit for the Utah Jazz.

He was a frequent scratch during the Jazz's run to a 22-60 record, but when called to play, he averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 37 contests.

Love could still end up on the Lakers' radar if the team seeks a veteran big man in order to fill in for the potential free agency departure of Jaxson Hayes this offseason.

Retaining James, who played his age-42 season under a $52.6 million player option, could be a more costly proposition for the Lakers.

James played 60 games last season, during which he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in his 20th straight All-Star season.

NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported the Lakers are "widely expected" to re-sign free agent guard Austin Reaves this offseason.

That deal would restrict the flexibility the Lakers have to re-sign James. Reaves' next contract projected at around $40 million per year, and the Lakers need to fill out their roster after potentially losing players including Hayes and Rui Hachimura to free agency.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, rival NBA teams are expecting James to take a pay cut in order to stay with the Lakers.

Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has said he plans to build his roster around Luka Dončić going forward, but bringing James and Love back on short-term contracts could still allow the Lakers to retool around Dončić the following season.

That could set the stage for James' reunion both his son Bronny James and his former Cavs teammate when the Lakers return to action next fall.