Pairing Anthony Davis with LeBron James is proving to be a fantastic deal made by the Los Angeles Lakers last summer. Most likely, the superstar duo will win a Larry O'Brien at the end of the campaign and it will be the first for the team since 2010. The Lakers, of course, will want to continue with the success and get another star.
If indeed Purple & Gold will take on this path then checking out the possibility of plucking Kevin Love out from Cleveland should be a worthy endeavor. The California native is a proven winner and proof of that is the Cavs championship ring he earned teaming up with LeBron James.
James and Love reliving the partnership they forged in Cleveland is an exciting narrative on its own. But for Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, it would be a shocking deal.
"Reuniting Love and LeBron James would be a shock after James left the Cleveland Cavaliers two years ago, but the 32-year-old power forward proved to be a perfect stretch big man next to the four-time MVP," Swartz wrote.
The Cavs are but a shadow of the formidable crew seen during the James era but Love still flexed the brilliance that earned him five All-Star appearances. His production this season showed 17.6 points per game and 9.8 rebounds.
The star also dished out no fewer than three assists every outing, which should tell Lakers coach Frank Vogel that Love has an eye for the open man. These numbers, according to Swartz, should make the Cavs star a good fit with the Lakers.
Love is not too big on the defense but him operating on the floor with Anthony Davis will do enough to compensate for the weakness.
If the Lakers will take a hard look at this proposal, Swartz advised Vogel to be ready to part ways with Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and JaVale McGee for the negotiations to get a good start. Hinting too that Kyle Kuzma could be included in the talks should convince the Cleveland front office to have a sit down with the Lakers.
Now the question is: Will trading for Love, already 32, work in favor of the LA club? Fadeaway World said such a move is "a pretty big risk." That's because the player to be acquired is not only aging but also has a history of struggling with injuries.
The plain truth for the Lakers is that giving up that much depth just to get their hands on Love is a tough decision to make. Because on the other hand, Love with James is magic for Cleveland. The two, along with Kyrie Irving, conspired for the Cavaliers to reach four NBA Finals in the last 10 years.
Vogel can only hope Love can still do the same having another go with James in Los Angeles.
