The idea of LeBron James reuniting with Kevin Love in Los Angeles sounds like a Hollywood sequel waiting to happen. It checks all the right boxes.
Nostalgia? Check. Chemistry? Check. Veteran leadership? Check. However, not everyone is buying it, especially not Lakers reporter Jovan Buha.
James-Love reunion hits the heart but not the hardwood
The Lakers have already clearly shifted their identity. This team is no longer built around LeBron; it is being re-constructed around Luka Doncic.
That is why, according to Buha, Maxi Kleber remains a more practical and necessary piece than Love. It does not matter how compelling a reunion storyline might be.
On his Buha’s Block podcast, Buha addressed the recent speculation that the Lakers might consider offloading Kleber to make room for Love. He was clear in his response.
“I’m skeptical that Maxi can be a contributor next season just based on the way that last season went, based on the extent of his injury,” Buha admitted.
Still, that concern did not outweigh his overall assessment of the roster.
“I would rather just have Maxi Kleber than Kevin Love straight up… Kevin Love has the relationship with LeBron, but Maxi has the relationship with Luka… that’s more important for the Lakers.”
That shift in priorities says a lot about where this team stands. Love was part of one of the most successful partnerships of the 2010s, alongside James, while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But because they were successful years ago, it does not mean they will have that same success while playing games in 2025.
Doncic, fresh off signing a $165 million extension, is the franchise’s present and future. Surrounding him with players he trusts, especially someone like Kleber, who shared years of pick-and-pop chemistry with him while on the Dallas Mavericks, simply makes sense.
Even after an injury-limited season, Kleber’s skill set, which is being a stretch five with good defensive instincts, still fills a need that is not easily replaced. His utility on both ends of the court gives the Lakers' second-year head coach, JJ Redick, options that Love no longer provides at this stage in his career.
Love, who is now 36 years old, averaged just 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in under 11 minutes per game with the Miami Heat. While still a respected locker room presence, his impact on the floor has steadily declined.
In the end, while a LeBron–Love encore might tug at heartstrings, the Lakers would be smart in steering clear of that idea, even if they are the favourites to land the big man.