While the Cleveland Cavaliers will soon be playing the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, one of their best players has been involved in numerous free agent rumors.

Kevin Love hasn't exactly gelled with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving the way most people thought he would, and his season-ending shoulder injury isn't helping things either. To make things worse for Love, the Cavaliers are playing great without him, thus leaving a lot of doubt on his future with the team. Tristan Thompson has been emerging as a terrific rebounder for the Cavaliers throughout the playoffs, and many Cavaliers fans now believe he is a better future option than Love.

As for the Los Angeles Lakers, they've been in the middle of Love rumors for years now.

Love has one potential year remaining on his contract, which is a player option. If Love decides to opt in and play for the Cavaliers next season, he will receive just over $16.7 million. It may seem like a no-brainer for Love to opt in and get his elite money, but not everyone thinks that will happen.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Zach Lowe believe Love will not return next season.

"Every executive I talk to, every agent I talk to, every quasi insider, every girlfriend's cousin's sister's boyfriend all says this guy is out of there," said Brian Windhorst during a podcast with Zach Lowe.

"I hear the same thing from everybody," said Lowe. "From everyone that is two or three or four steps removed. I don't quite believe all of that."

"I agree," replied Windhorst.

"Part of what's going on there is the Lakers' boogeyman. "They don't just say he's out of there, they say 'He's going to the Lakers.' That has much to do with the fear people have of the Lakers as it does with Kevin Love" said Lowe.

While Love would be leaving a guaranteed $16.7 million in base salary in Cleveland next year if he didn't opt in, the idea of him leaving the Cavaliers isn't absurd at all. The Cavaliers are still a great squad without Love on the floor -- and maybe even a better defensive team. Love is a tremendously good 3-point shooter given the fact that he is a power forward, but the mid-season trade additions of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks have all but devalued Love's shooting abilities.

If Love does opt in (like most fans think he will), he is taking a risk. Not financially, but career wise. Love's playing time would decrease dramatically given the fact that Thompson has arrived, and LeBron James is such a huge fan of his.

So, would Love be a good fit in Los Angeles? The Lakers had the second worst defense in the league this season allowing 105.3 points per game en route to the worst season in franchise history. Rajon Rondo has been a top target for the Lakers, but terrible shooting and team chemistry has left some doubt about signing him. The Lakers have a $9 million team option regarding Jordan Hill next season, and odds are he won't be back. Adding Love (who played at UCLA) would give the Lakers size, young age and a great shooting big man.

The Lakers would be a great fit for Love as they have a large amount of salary cap space opening up, but they must be careful not to overpay as well.

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