Lakers and Mavs pursue Kevin Love

Photo complex.com
Not all quiet on the western front right now as Ken Berger of CBS reports that the Lakers and Mavericks are making a push for Kevin Love:

"The Lakers and Mavericks are trying to assemble trade offers for prospective free agent kevin Love, but thus far the Timberwolves have given no indication they'll consider moving the All-Star forward by Thursday's deadline."

Of course, Love is due up in 2015, and he is seeking a major market. Berger calls the Lakers Love's "first choice" and also states that they have "the best shot" and landing the former UCLA Bruin.

The man in charge in Minnesota is president Flip Saunders, who has not indicated he is willing to pull the trigger on a Love deal, despite the team's lack of success with him.

"According to a person familiar with Saunders' strategy, he has indicated there is "no way" he will trade Love by Thursday's 3 PM ET deadline."

Over All-Star weekend Kobe Bryant said he is confident that GM Mitch Kupchak will make the right moves for a "quick turnaround." As Berger notes, LA does have the room to sign a max deal to a free agent this summer, but could instead opt for a trade and make more moves come 2015-2016. More from Berger:

"Any Lakers offer would have to include Pau Gasol, whose $19.3 million contract comes off the books this summer. Rival executives believe the Lakers' best chance of moving Gasol is to a team that views him as a worthy re-signing to a more reasonable deal this summer--not as a rental."

Love in purple and yellow...not ideal for Celtics fans.