The Los Angeles Lakers are already out of the running for two of their top targets this free agency, as LaMarcus Aldridge reportedly crossed out the team from his list while Kevin Love already agreed to a deal to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Aldridge first sat down with the Lakers in a meeting that lasted for more than two hours.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that the meeting went very well but no deal was reached.
According to reports, the three-time All-Star was not impressed with the presentation, which focused less on basketball and more on things outside the court.
But Aldridge's agency denied the report, saying on Twitter that the big man has not made a decision so far and has not ruled out any team yet.
Meanwhile, league sources said forward Kevin Love was set to meet with the Lakers this week, but the three-time NBA All-Star has already agreed to a deal with the Cavaliers.
Love, 26, made the announcement Wednesday through a first-person essay posted on The Players' Tribune website.
"I'm going back to Cleveland. After Game 1 of the NBA Finals, that's when it really struck me. Sitting on the sidelines, I never wanted to play in a game more than that one. I had dreamed of playing in the NBA Finals, and I just wanted to help my guys win. I couldn't have been prouder of them as they poured their blood, sweat and tears onto the court," a portion of the essay read.
Love also said in the essay, "But at the end of the day, and after meeting with my teammates and with the front office, it was clear Cleveland was the place for me." According to sources, the seasoned center-cum-power forward agreed to a five-year, $110 million deal with the Cavaliers.
It is still early in free agency to call the Lakers' campaign a bust, with targets DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe not yet linked to any team. Marc Gasol, Dwyane Wade and Tobias Harris are also being eyed by the Lakers this free agency.
