All-Star power forward Kevin Love reiterated that he has no plans in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers if he decides to become a free-agent this summer. But, did he really mean it?
Pressed by the same questions about his pending free-agency, Love cleared that the Lakers won't be an option for him, if he decides to opt out from the final year of his current contract and test the free-agency waters in July. This is the harsh remark the Lakers had to chew along with a 120-105 blowout loss to the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday.
Love, who played for two seasons with the UCLA Bruins before he jumped to the NBA as the fifth overall pick in 2008, has been skeptical about his a potential stint with the Lakers since the Minnesota Timberwolves sent him to the Cavaliers in a blockbuster trade last offseason.
Love's latest remark should have finally put all speculations to rest, but SB Nation writer Mike Sandritter isn't totally buying it. He believed the Cavs forward is just trying to shoot down unnecessary distractions as much as possible, as he tries to recover from a very disappointing first half of the season.
"Love definitively shooting down the rumors could be the end or it may have been a necessary answer to quell rumors and try to turn the focus back to the court. Love's transition to Cleveland hasn't exactly been smooth. By shooting down all speculation for now, Love did his best to reduce outside rumors and focus on this season. It's the same strategy he's taken all along as he's continually insisted he won't leave Cleveland."
Averaging 17.1 points and 10.5 rebounds in 33 minutes a contest, Love is still struggling to find the right balance while playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. On Sunday, Love delivered one of the most dominant showings in gold and wine uniform, racking up 32 points and 10 rebounds.
Other than the Lakers, the New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns have shown interest to sign Love, who could command a contract worth at least $20M per year.
If Love remains unavailable, the Lakers have plenty of options left with All-Stars Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge, Reggie Jackson, Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo up for grabs.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
