The Los Angeles Lakers could be preparing for another veteran addition around Luka Doncic and LeBron James, with Kevin Love emerging as a potential free-agent target.
Marc J. Spears reported Wednesday that James is “likely coming back” to the Lakers and added that Love “could likely be joining the Lakers, too.” Love, 37, is set to become an unrestricted free agent after completing a two-year, $8 million contract.
The move would reunite Love with James after their successful run together in Cleveland, where the duo helped the Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA championship. Love has remained a productive floor-spacing big late in his career despite a reduced role compared with his All-Star seasons.
In the 2025-26 season with the Utah Jazz, Love averaged 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 37 games while playing 16.6 minutes per night. He shot 39.7% from the field and connected on 37.3% of his three-point attempts on 3.8 attempts per game.
The Lakers finished the 2025-26 regular season 53-29, earning the fourth seed in the Western Conference and winning the Pacific Division. However, the season ended with a 4-0 second-round sweep against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Los Angeles already has a strong offensive foundation with Doncic, James and Austin Reaves. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 36.6% from three, while James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games.
Adding Love would give the Lakers another big man capable of stretching defenses. In his 18-year NBA career, Love has averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 36.9% from three on 4.7 attempts per game. His ability to space the floor could create additional driving lanes for Doncic and James.
The potential addition also comes as the Lakers navigate James’ free agency. James, who turns 42 during the 2026-27 season, averaged 20.9 points on 51.5% shooting and remained one of the league’s top playmakers. Los Angeles has reportedly given James time to decide his future after a season in which the team showed championship-level regular-season form but fell short in the playoffs.
