If the Warriors are cooling on the idea of bringing in Lonzo Ball via buyout, it might be time for Golden State to start widening the search. And one name that keeps quietly surfacing is a familiar face from one of the most iconic NBA Finals moments of the last decade: Kevin Love.
Yes, that Kevin Love - five-time All-Star, NBA champion, and the same guy who helped deny Steph Curry a fifth ring back in 2016 with a defensive stand that still lives rent-free in Warriors fans’ heads. But now at 37, Love isn’t being talked about for his past - he’s on the radar because he might still have something left in the tank that Golden State could use right now.
Let’s talk numbers. Per 36 minutes, Love is still pulling down 12 rebounds - a figure that would lead the Warriors by a comfortable margin.
That’s not just padding stats on a bad team. That’s a veteran big who still knows how to position himself, box out, and clean the glass.
For a Warriors squad that’s struggled with size and rebounding consistency all season, that kind of production can’t be ignored.
Then there’s the shooting. Love is knocking down 36.4% from deep - not elite, but certainly respectable, especially for a stretch big who can space the floor and open up driving lanes for Curry, Klay, and Poole.
He’s not the focal point of an offense anymore, but he doesn’t need to be. What he brings is floor balance, veteran savvy, and playoff experience - three things Golden State could use more of as they try to steady a rocky season.
And let’s not forget the contract situation. Love is in the final year of a two-year deal, making him a textbook buyout candidate. If he becomes available, the Warriors wouldn’t need to give up assets to get him - just convince him that chasing another ring in the Bay is worth the ride.
Now, is Love going to come in and swing a playoff series? Probably not.
His days of being a go-to option are behind him. But in a league where rotations tighten and every possession matters, adding a veteran who can rebound, hit open threes, and won’t get lost in the moment could be a sneaky-smart move.
Golden State has always valued high-IQ players who fit their ball-movement-heavy system. Love might not be the flashiest name out there, but if the Warriors are serious about making a late-season push, he’s worth more than just a passing glance.