Report: Kevin Love will seriously consider opting out, maybe to join Lakers

Kevin Love has said he wants more inside touches, and LeBron James acknowledges getting those looks for Love will be an adjustment.

Chris Bosh predicted this, and so did Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor.

Every naysayer is seeing those warning signs come to fruition and chomping at the bit after the Cavaliers’ 2-3 start.

Which leads to…

Sam Smith of Bulls.com:

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.

Of course Love will opt out.

His 2015-16 salary is slated to be $16,744,219. But because he’d be eligible for a higher max contract due to his years of experience and the NBA salary cap is rising, Love projects to have a max salary of $18,602,898 next season.

So, even if Love believes staying in Cleveland one more year is his best option – what he’d be declaring by opting in – there’s no good reason to opt in. He could just opt out and re-sign on a one-year contract while giving himself a $1,858,679 raise.

That said, if Love opts out, the odds of him re-signing for only one year are next to nil.

The original report of his trade to Cleveland said he’d reached a handshake agreement to re-sign for five years with the Cavaliers. Of course, once he becomes a free agent, anything could happen. He could pursue long- or short-term deals anywhere.

The Lakers are always listed as a possible destination for Love, but I think that’s mostly wishful thinking. Though they could open max cap room, the Lakers still couldn’t offer as much as Cleveland, both financially and in terms of team quality. I doubt Los Angeles, after Love forced his way to the Cavaliers, has a large enough edge as a city over Cleveland to sign Love.

Love opting out is nearly a forgone conclusion, but don’t mistake that near certainty with his intention to leave the Cavaliers. They still have the inside track on keeping him, and if they right themselves this season, their edge will only grow.