Kevin Love’s latest stop in the NBA may be a short one. The 17-year veteran forward, traded to the Utah Jazz from the Miami Heat earlier this offseason, is “actively exploring” a buyout, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. With Utah expected to prioritize a youth movement in 2025-26, Love appears ready to seek a situation better suited for a late-career run — and Los Angeles, specifically the Los Angeles Lakers, tops his list.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reports that Love’s preference is to reunite with former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James, a partnership that delivered Cleveland its first NBA championship in 2016. The two have maintained a close relationship since their title run, and adding Love could give the Lakers a trusted playoff contributor who already knows how to complement James’ game.
“Word around the league surrounding Love is that he wants to end up in Los Angeles,” Siegel wrote. “There were some rumors that Love would want to go to New York, although there doesn’t seem to be much interest brewing from the Knicks.”
Fit and Role With the Los Angeles Lakers
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For the Lakers, the potential fit is as much about chemistry as it is about production. Love, a career 37% shooter from three-point range, would give Los Angeles another frontcourt floor-spacer alongside Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes. His ability to rebound, throw pinpoint outlet passes, and operate as a stretch big could open up driving lanes for James and Luka Dončić while providing an offensive safety valve in half-court sets.
The challenge is financial. The Lakers are hard-capped at the first apron and currently sit just $1.1 million below it. Signing Love outright would require shedding salary, much like they did earlier this summer when waiving Jordan Goodwin and Shake Milton to make room for Marcus Smart.
Still, the upside is clear. Love wouldn’t need to log heavy minutes in the regular season, but his playoff experience and championship pedigree could be invaluable in high-leverage situations — particularly for a Lakers team aiming to maximize what remains of James’ career.
Clippers on the Periphery
While the Clippers also have one open roster spot and sit $1.2 million under the first apron, they’re more of a secondary option. Love could bolster their second unit and bring additional veteran presence alongside Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, and Kawhi Leonard. But for now, all signs point to the Lakers as the more likely and personally meaningful destination.
Love, who averaged 5.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season with Miami, has one year left on his $4.1 million contract. A buyout would allow him to choose his next team — and if he has his way, that next chapter will see him back alongside LeBron James, chasing one more ring in Los Angeles.