NBA Rumors: Lakers lack assets to trade for Kevin Love
By Bryan Rose
The Los Angeles Lakers would understandably love to have Kevin Love on their roster and rumors have swirled in recent weeks that Love wouldn’t mind returning to Los Angeles, where he played his college ball.
If that is to happen, it would likely need to come in free agency as Larry Coon feels the Lakers simply don’t have the assets to get a trade done with the Timberwolves in exchange for Love.
"The Lakers are currently on track to have about $26 million in cap room, minus their draft pick, cap holds, and whatever free agent Bird rights they retain.If they were to acquire Kevin Love via trade, the obvious question is for whom? I really don’t see a potential deal that entices the T-Wolves, and especially not in comparison to what they could get from other teams."
The most valuable trade chip the Lakers own is Pau Gasol who is nothing more than an expiring contract, essentially. The Timberwolves don’t have much desire for an expiring contract, so the only thing that could potentially interest the Wolves is the Lakers upcoming first round pick. However, where exactly in the draft that will land is unknown and the T’Wolves wouldn’t send away their franchise player for anything less than a sure thing.
Granted there’s always the possibility of a third team involving themselves at some point, but a trade sending Love to the Lakers doesn’t appear fathomable right now.