Three-time NBA All-Star Kevin Love opted out of the final year of his $16.7 million deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers to test free agent waters, according to ESPN. However, the Cavs are expected to re-sign the 2011 NBA Most Improved Player who had publicly said that he will stay with the team to win championships.

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Even though the power forward's decision is considered as purely a financial move on his part, trade rumors still abound on possible Love suitors this July and foremost of them are linking him to the Portland Trailblazers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

With the impending exodus of prized big man LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers will reportedly try to snag Love away from Cleveland, as per CBS Sports. Love is a product of Lake Oswego High School in Oregon, which may be a factor if ever he decides to jump ship to Portland.

Playing alongside Damian Lillard as the first or second option in offense could also be attractive to Love, which is something that he could never be in Cleveland as long as the names LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are around. He will most likely play the same role that Aldridge had successfully performed all throughout the years, an all-around big man who is licensed to shoot from rainbow distance.

However, the downside for Love would be leaving a lighter Eastern Conference and missing the chance to contend for championships with James and Irving.

Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley indicated that the Los Angeles Lakers are also interested in acquiring the 26-year-old's services. Love spent his college days with the UCLA Bruins and this may be the Los Angeles homecoming everyone in La La Land is waiting for.

Buckley said that Love would be the perfect second scoring option to Kobe Bryant in L.A., which would bring back his usual dominating numbers in Minnesota. With no. 2 pick D'Angelo Russell, and sophomores Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, that would be a pretty interesting lineup.

But the Lakers' situation would only be possible if Mitch Kupchak fails to land either DeMarcus Cousins or LaMarcus Aldridge from free agency. As of the moment, these two big guys are the focus in L.A., and Love might only be a third option in case both deals does not push through.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Kevin Love, cleveland cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers