LeBron James and Kevin Love are urged to reunite in Los Angeles, rekindling their successful Cavaliers partnership.
The Los Angeles Lakers have received increased calls from fans to reunite Kevin Love with LeBron James, reviving a partnership that spanned four seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and culminated in a 2016 NBAchampionship. Love, currently on an expiring $4.1 million contract, was traded from the Miami Heat to the Utah Jazz this offseason in a multi-team deal involving John Collins and the LA Clippers. With the Jazz expected to rebuild during the 2025-26 season, sources indicate Love is likely to be bought out soon, aiming to join a prominent market, potentially Los Angeles.
NBA insider Jake Fischer noted Love’s preference for high-profile destinations, sharing,
“So with Kevin Love, to my understanding, he really only wants to be in the big glamour markets,”
and added,
“I do think it would mostly be something along the lines of Kevin Love going to a New York or a Los Angeles type of situation. So, we’ll see if that can materialize for him.”
—Jake Fischer, NBA insider
The Strong Connection Between Love and LeBron That Fans Hope to Rekindle
Following reports about Love’s intentions, many Lakers supporters expressed enthusiasm for bringing the veteran forward back to Los Angeles to rejoin LeBron James. Social media was filled with fans encouraging the reunion.
“Come get this ring wit bron,”
one fan urged. —Fan, social media
“Bron and KLove teaming back up,”
another said. —Fan, social media
“Lakers could be a natural fit,”
a third added. —Fan, social media
“Former UCLA Bruin… needs to come back to LA and join the Lakers & Bron,”
noted a user on X. —Fan, social media
“Come to the Lakers big bro,”
pleaded another admirer. —Fan, social media
Love and James share a deep bond forged during their Cavaliers tenure, both on and off the floor. In February 2023, Love reflected on their time together in a heartfelt letter, stating,
Image of: LeBron James
“I feel so fortunate my career intersected with LeBron’s,”
and further emphasized,
“Everybody that he touches, especially if you have that opportunity to be within his orbit or his gravitational pull, whether it’s covering him as a media member or me playing with him in very special years, especially here and because of what he means to Northeast Ohio, that is definitely something that is not lost on me.”
—Kevin Love, forward
Potential Final Chapter in Lakers Uniform as LeBron Eyes Future Moves
Love has credited his trade to the Cavaliers in 2015 as a pivotal moment for growth, teaching him sacrifice and enhancing his ability to be a supportive teammate, lessons closely tied to his relationship with James. When James left Cleveland for Los Angeles in 2019, Love remained with the Cavaliers before later signing with Miami, where he spent the last two and a half seasons.
The prospect of a fresh James-Love partnership is particularly notable given speculation surrounding LeBron’s future beyond the 2025-26 season. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Lakers are considering not re-signing James after his current contract expires. Meanwhile, Rich Paul, LeBron’s agent, has indicated the possibility of James retiring outside Los Angeles.
Recently, James attracted attention when seen with Misko Raznatovic, agent to Nikola Jokic, in France. Raznatovic’s Instagram post stating,
“The summer of 2025 is the perfect time to make big plans for the fall of 2026!”
has fueled rumors that James might eventually team up with Jokic in Denver. —Misko Raznatovic, agent
What a Reunion Could Mean for the Lakers’ Future
If Kevin Love joins the Lakers, it would mark a reunion of former Cavaliers teammates with a proven championship pedigree. Their shared history, combined with Love’s veteran presence and experience, could provide valuable depth and leadership during a period of transition for Los Angeles. A reunion would tap into the narratives of loyalty and legacy, resonating with fans eager to see familiar faces collaborate once again.
With the Jazz expected to trade Love via buyout and LeBron James’s potential departure looming, the coming months could reshape team dynamics in the NBA’s biggest markets. Should Love commit to the Lakers’ roster, it could offer a compelling coda to his career and a meaningful chapter as LeBron’s tenure in Los Angeles approaches uncertainty.
