Is the Love already lost in Cleveland?

Bulls.com reporter Sam Smith included this nugget in his Nov. 10 notes about Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love.

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LeBron James' top lieutenant still is considering taking his talents to the West Coast to a certain team currently down on its luck adorned in purple and gold.

"It's not going to get as much discussion during the season, but one of the biggest issues for the Cavs is that both LeBron James and Kevin Love own opt outs after this season. LeBron James basically cannot afford to go anywhere after his return to Cleveland. But watch out for Love. Indications are he will seriously consider the opt out and has his eyes on a return to Los Angeles, where he attended college and where the Lakers long have had him on their free agent wish list."

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Love arguably would receive a hero's welcome if he were to return to the city where he played collegiate basketball at UCLA. After two years of missing out on elite free agents, the Lakers certainly would jump at the chance to sign Love and get the rebuilding process up and running.

He would quickly replace Kobe Bryant as the future king of the Lakers, something he will never be in Cleveland.

CBSSports.com, however, says Love will opt out of his contract, regardless, in 2015 because he could make more money by doing so.

"Love has been talking about opting out of his contract for years now because it makes the most financial sense no matter what decision he makes as far as his next deal," CBSSports.com reported. "Even if he goes the same route of LeBron James and just signs a two-year max deal to wait to take advantage of the new television money coming in, opting out is the smartest move here by Love."