With NBA free agency just around the corner, several big names are floating around as potential options despite trades this season. Many teams with money to spend around hoping players like Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic and Kevin Love emerge onto the free agent market despite getting dealt earlier in the year. Along with available free agents, trade rumors are beginning to surface around players who will be entering the final year of their respective contracts as all eyes fall on Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
There has been plenty of speculation regarding the futures of some of the biggest names in the NBA because that is what the pending offseason is really all about. ESPN's Brian Windhorst certainly made a bold statement reporting that the Los Angeles Lakers will aim to sign both Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook in 2016. To be clear, there is no hard evidence to back this claim other than the Lakers will have money to spend and big names like Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash to replace. There is no clear indication that either Love or Westbrook are favoring this option. So with that out of the way, is it possible?
Love will be a free agent at the end of this season and recent tension with the Cleveland Cavaliers have many believing the forward is ready to bolt. Of course he has maintained the statement that he will be returning to Cleveland next season. Meanwhile, Westbrook will be an unrestricted free agent in 2016 and has not said a word about what his intentions are while he tries to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder in to the playoffs.
If the two players intend to teamup, Love would have to opt in for one more season with the Cavaliers and wait for Westbrook. Sure, that is possible. With the new TV deal for the NBA getting put into place next year, many free agents will hold off on signing long-term deals since they can get more money by waiting. That is the reason LeBron James only signed a two-year deal with the Cavaliers in free agency.
If the option is there, the Lakers will of course target both Westbrook and Love. They are two of the best players at their respective positions and Los Angeles will be looking to make a splash with some of their long-time players leaving. The idea that this happens is a long ways off. The Lakers still have this year's free agency to worry about, but fans would be wise to at least keep it in the back of their minds.
