Lakers meeting with Kevin Love during first week of free agency, according to report

The Los Angeles Lakers will have an opportunity to make their pitch to Kevin Love and are expected to sit down with the All-Star power forward sometime during the first week of free agency, reports Chris Broussard of ESPN. Love opted out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as anticipated, and has become one of the best unrestricted free agents available.

Several reports have pointed to Love and the Lakers having at least some level of mutual interest, and now both sides will officially have a chance to lay their cards out. The Lakers are pursuing several frontcourt players, and Love might be the single-best talent that will sit down with the Lakers.

The Cavaliers expect Love to return to the Cavaliers, but if he is indeed taking a meeting with the Lakers, that plan could be in the air. Cleveland also has to work on retaining restricted free agent Tristan Thompson, along with several other role players like Iman Shumpert who will test the market in search of a lucrative offer sheet.

Love would give the Lakers' frontcourt an established presence to develop players like Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and No. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell around. The Lakers are trying to sign a maximum-level player, hoping to add a proven building block to their foundation as they prepare to become an appealing destination for a big burst in the salary