Love To The Lakers
As for the Lakers, we know they’re hungry to bring a superstar back to the Staples Center. While I have high hopes for guys like Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and their upcoming pick of what I can only assume is Brandon Ingram, a proven commodity like Love would be like manna from heaven for an increasingly desperate fan base.
Furthermore, Love’s days as a UCLA Bruin only further cements what looks like a potentially nice reunion for him. It doesn’t quite work though. The biggest single consternation with Love for Cavs’ fans was his defensive shortcomings.
The Lakers have ZERO forms of rim protection and no players that can cover for Love in the pick-and-roll. In fact, I see Randle having many of Love’s same defensive struggles as his career goes on. For the Lakers, it seems way more sensible to acquire guys who can help their young guys grow and mature as future cornerstones as opposed to doing the same things that already gotten them into this position…but this is also the Lakers…so who knows?
So yea, let’s rule those out…and really any other team that can’t get Love to fit into their desired offense or effectively cover his defensive shortcomings. We are saving Love’s career after all.
Next: Rockets?