3 early in-season buyout targets for the Los Angeles Lakers

By Jason Reed | Aug 7, 2022

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 28: Patrick Beverley #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 28, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 127-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Love

Salary: $30,100,543

It appears that the Los Angeles Lakers are going to strike out on getting Kyrie Irving this summer so instead, perhaps the team can try and bring in another former member of the championship-winning Cleveland Cavaliers team.

Kevin Love is entering the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is set to make $30.1 million next season. Love was a two-year buyout candidate last year but saw a resurgence with a promising Cavs team early in the season.

Love played an important role as a bench veteran to a young Cavs team that was over-performing at the beginning of last year. They started to fall back down to earth and ended up being a play-in team, losing to the Brooklyn Nets and then the Atlanta Hawks.

Cleveland may look to give Evan Mobley even more minutes next season (as they should) and might be in the business of saving some money if they bring back Collin Sexton, who is still a restricted free agent.

Obviously, Love’s cap hit would still be on the team but if they can save $5 million or so on their books by working out a buyout then the team could explore that option.

He may no longer be prime Kevin Love, but he would give the Lakers a good floor-spacing option to play in the frontcourt. If he is bought out, LA makes a lot of sense for the former UCLA standout.

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