The Los Angeles Lakers may be a pitiful sight right now but one thing is certain – they have the necessary salary cap to dispose of to get any NBA star from here on.
And while there have been names like Rajon Rondo, Goran Dragic, Greg Monroe or even a long-shot in Marc Gasol, a potential future tandem they could get their hands on could be Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Russell Westbrook of the OKC Thunder.
However, reuniting the former UCLA teammates may not necessarily happen overnight.
Love will become a free agent by season's end and though there are no immediate indications as of yet on his plans, the Lakers are expected to make a pitch at him nevertheless. But all that may hinge on how the Cavaliers end up this season, seeing that he seems to be content with where he is alongside Kyrie Irving and Lebron James.
The Westbrook angle could materialize no earlier than 2016 when the Thunder star becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2016. Westbrook has been mum on his plans (expectedly) but anyone in his right mind would agree that Oklahoma City will not release Westbrook that easily.
Then again, Westbrook's status could depend on teammate Kevin Durant. The reigning MVP has been ruled out for the season and all eyes are on him as well on what he plans to do. If the Thunder lose Durant to NBA suitors, prying Westbrook from the OKC Thunder bubble could be close to difficult.
The Lakers are of course expected to come out of their slump and land potential new stars to help the franchise get back to its winning ways. Kobe Bryant is still around but with injuries becoming frequent, it may only be a matter of time before he follows Steve Nash into retirement despite believing he can still continue to play.
Could Kobe still be around when and if the Lakers are successful in luring Love and/or Westbrook? The best bet is perhaps but for one full season if he is luck to stay avoid the injury bug.
