Kevin Love Strongly Considering Lakers Reunion With LeBron James After Jazz Buyout, Per Insider Marc Stein’s Latest Report

Kevin Love could be headed back to the city where his basketball journey first gained national attention. According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, the five-time All-Star is seriously considering signing with the Los Angeles Lakers following his recent contract buyout from the Utah Jazz. A reunion with LeBron James — and a return to his Los Angeles roots — now appears to be on the table.

It’s a storyline that blends nostalgia, strategy, and championship ambition. Love, 36, may no longer be the double-double machine that helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA title, but his ability to space the floor and rebound remains valuable in today’s league. In a supporting role, especially next to a playmaker like LeBron or a scoring dynamo like Luka Doncic, Love’s skill set could become a quietly effective weapon for a Lakers team looking to bolster its frontcourt depth.

The links between Love and Los Angeles run deep. Before he ever played an NBA game, he made a name for himself as a standout freshman at UCLA, where he helped guide the Bruins to the 2008 Final Four. The city embraced him then, and now, nearly two decades later, it might be doing so again. Basketball is part of Love’s DNA — literally. His father, Stan Love, played for the Lakers in the early 1970s, and Kevin has long spoken about the franchise with reverence.

Now, with the Jazz opting for a youth-focused rebuild and parting ways with veteran contracts, Love finds himself at a crossroads. Sources say the Lakers have shown interest, and Love is intrigued by the possibility of rejoining LeBron — a friend, former teammate, and fellow champion — for one more run at glory.

Their chemistry is already proven. During their four years together in Cleveland, Love and LeBron reached the NBA Finals every season from 2015 to 2018, culminating in that historic comeback against the 73-win Golden State Warriors in 2016. Love accepted a secondary role next to LeBron and Kyrie Irving, showing a willingness to stretch his game to fit the system. That unselfishness made him indispensable during their title run — and it’s what could make him a fit again in L.A.

This time around, however, things would be different. The Lakers are clearly pivoting toward a new identity — one that may soon be centered around Luka Doncic. Reports suggest the franchise is heavily pursuing the Slovenian superstar, with LeBron giving his full support for a transition into a Luka-led future. If that blockbuster vision comes to fruition, Love’s potential reunion with LeBron could also double as a stabilizing veteran presence in a locker room that might soon need experience and championship poise.

And while Love isn’t the same physical player he was in his prime, his basketball IQ, shooting touch, and rebounding instincts remain sharp. He shot 34.7% from beyond the arc last season in limited minutes and still ranks among the league’s best box-out forwards. For a Lakers squad looking to support LeBron and Anthony Davis with reliable role players — particularly ones who can hit open threes and battle for boards — Love represents a cost-effective, high-upside signing.

The Lakers aren’t the only team monitoring Love’s situation, though. Several playoff contenders are reportedly in the mix, including the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks — both of whom could also use a veteran stretch big with championship experience. In other words, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka — affectionately known as “Leather Jacket Rob” in Lakers circles — might have to act quickly if he wants to secure Love’s services before a rival team swoops in.

There’s also the broader symbolism of a Love-LeBron reunion. With LeBron entering what could be the final season of his career, there’s sentimental value in surrounding him with players who’ve been part of his journey. Love, who has consistently praised LeBron’s leadership and influence, would likely relish the chance to close out his own career alongside his most successful teammate.

That said, nothing is official yet. Love is reportedly weighing multiple options and wants to be sure his next move offers not just playing time, but a real chance at contending for a title. The Lakers, as always, find themselves in win-now mode, especially with the Western Conference getting more competitive by the day.

For head coach JJ Redick, adding a player like Love would offer valuable spacing in a rotation that already features inside scorers like Davis and dynamic ball-handlers like D’Angelo Russell and, potentially, Luka Doncic. Redick’s offensive system emphasizes ball movement and shooting, and Love’s ability to stretch the floor from the power forward or center spot would allow the Lakers to play five-out sets — something they’ve lacked in recent years.

Moreover, Love’s leadership cannot be overlooked. In Miami, where he spent the last season and a half, he was widely credited with mentoring younger players, providing veteran accountability, and being a locker room anchor even when his minutes fluctuated. That sort of presence could be vital in L.A., particularly if the team undergoes a significant roster transition in the months ahead.

Of course, any signing would need to fit within the Lakers’ tight cap situation. But after the Jazz buyout, Love could be available at a team-friendly price — possibly a veteran minimum or slightly above — making him even more appealing.

It’s rare for a player to find themselves back in a city that shaped their early basketball identity, reuniting with a former teammate to chase one last championship. But for Kevin Love, the pieces are aligning. A return to Los Angeles. A chance to reunite with LeBron. And the possibility of ending his career the same way he peaked — as a champion.

In a league constantly shifting with youth, movement, and speed, it’s sometimes the familiar partnerships that bring the most surprising success. Whether Love ends up back in purple and gold or takes his talents elsewhere, one thing is certain: he’s still got something left in the tank — and he knows exactly where to pour it.

For now, all eyes are on Love’s next move. Leather Jacket Rob is on the clock. So are the Lakers’ Western Conference rivals. And just maybe, LeBron James is ready to write one final chapter with a teammate he trusts like family.