NBA Trade Rumors & News: Kobe Bryant Getting Kevin Love to Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant has been rumored to be recruiting Kevin Love from the Cleveland Cavaliers to step up the game of the former which has been performing quite poorly this season.

Sports World News noted that Bryant has "every intention" of getting Love for the Lakers once he opts out of his current contract during the end of the season.

It has been noted that this move would help Bryant in his aim to put his name back on the hall of fame record of the NBA before he finally retires. Despite the long list of players that the Lakers can run after to, Sports World News said that Love is "the most likely candidate" who will change teams when his contract ends.

His inclusion in the Lakers roster would mean that the team would have a shot in making it big in the NBA finals as he is considered an NBA superstar who can score points for his team.

In a similar report by Oregon Live, it noted that Love was quick to deny claims of him transferring to the Lakers despite Bryant's persistent recruitment of free agents especially when summer of next year comes.

"Whether we lose two or three games in a row, or there's a game where my statistical output isn't necessarily what it should be, people are always going to talk," Love was quoted by Oregon Live as saying.

He added that since he became a Cavalier, he plans to stay with the team for a long time.

"I've said since Day 1 that I'm a Cleveland Cavalier long term and I plan for it to be that way. I want to grow with this team. There's a lot of guys with a lot of unique talent, one-through-fifteen, on our roster who are going to be here for a long time. If I could end all the speculation now, I would. But people are going to continue to talk no matter what. I just want to continue getting better with this team long term. I'm a Cleveland Cavalier," he added.

Previous reports have also stressed that its in the best financial interest of love to ink a new contract when the salary cap jumps so rumors have surfaced that he will opt out by the end of the season then sign a maximum extension next summer.

"And despite how many times he says he's staying in Cleveland, until pen hits paper or the Cavaliers win the 2015 NBA title, the speculation will likely continue," Oregon Live added.

This was also supported by a Yahoo Sports report which noted that despite Love's statement, there is still no guarantee that the player will sign a long-term extension with his current team.

The same report said that in the coming years, the salary cap of Love will be raised, which could lead him to sign for just one year with the Cavs.