Rebuilding squad Boston Celtics could still be targeting Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Kevin Love if all their other options to acquire a big-name free agent fail in the summer.

The 27-year-old three-time All-Star had always been linked to a move to Boston since last season even after he had already signed a new five-year, $113.2 million deal with the Cavs in July 2015.

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Recently, MassLive reported, citing ESPN's Zach Lowe, that the Celtics "could potentially try to contact the Cavaliers about Love again this summer" if the "other stars" in their wish list will not be available.

Boston is speculated to have also been targeting Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, Atlanta's Al Horford, and Chicago's Jimmy Butler in free-agency this July, but there are no clear indications if they could be successful in their hunt for either of the three All-Stars.

"Boston made an offer for Love at the deadline, sources have told ESPN.com, and though the Cavs found it (dissatisfying), the Celtics may call again if other stars higher on their list aren't available," Lowe was quoted by the report as saying.

The article also insinuated that Cleveland may be okay to let go of the 2011 NBA Most Improved Player as he had been a defensive liability during some stretches of this year's postseason.

Twice Love was benched by head coach Tyronn Lue in the fourth quarter of games and the public reason was a tweaked knee. However, inside sources claimed that his benching is mainly instigated by his ineffectiveness in defending pick-and-roll plays.

Meanwhile, Fansided noted that it would be "more difficult now to trade for Kevin Love than it may have been at the deadline back in mid-February" because he had proved his worth in LeBron James' starting unit by providing much needed outside shooting and rebounding to make them legitimate title contenders.

The report said that if ever the Cavs would allow Love to leave them for Boston, the team might demand their upcoming third overall pick, their right to swap with the Nets' pick next year, and Avery Bradley and another bench player just to "balance the salaries".

TagsNBA News & Rumors, NBA News & Rumors 2016, Boston Celtics, cleveland cavaliers, Kevin Love