The Los Angeles Lakers have made no secrets of their interest in Kevin Love should the Minnesota Timberwolves star hit the open market, however they wouldn't be alone in courting the possible free agent as the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors may pounce if he becomes available via trade or free agency.
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According to ESPN, Love has made it clear to the Timberwolves that he wants to hit the open market at an unrestricted free agent and that he doesn't have interest in signing a new long-term deal to stay in Minnesota after next season.
While he won't be a free agent until 2015, the 'Wolves may elect to trade him before next year's deadline in order to get some compensation rather than to lose him for nothing to free agency.
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Minnesota has protected its franchise player from the many trade offers they've reportedly gotten for him, but the team may soften its stance now that Love has openly stated he wants out once his contract is up.
There is expected to be a lot more trade proposals coming Minnesota's way once the NBA Draft lottery order is established, and while the Lakers are in the running to land Love, they should have plenty of competition. According to reports, the Timberwolves will likely command a high draft pick for next year's draft as well as one or two veterans that could provide leadership to the team.
The Warriors and Bulls appear to be a likely trade partner for the Timberwolves while the Lakers and New York Knicks have been in the conversation all season long. Love wouldn't mind playing for a big market, but he reportedly is looking to go with a team that has the best chance for competing.
With the Lakers coming off of a franchise-worst 27-55 season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005, it could be unlikely that he'd want to go there if he remains with the Timberwolves for the length of his contract.
Love, 25, has told the Timberwolves that the six losing seasons he's endured while being on the team have weighed on him and that he wants to go to a winner. Minnesota finished 40-42 this season and the team hasn't finished above .500 since 2004-05.
It remains to be seen where Love will go, but with the Lakers looking to improve through the draft and free agency to get back to where they want to be, the team may negotiate in trade talks with Minnesota or hope that when Love hits the market in 2015, he chooses sunny Los Angeles as his new home.
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