The last dance! Who can sign a 36-year-old veteran in the NBA offseason? The Rockets and the Thunder are on the list

With the official announcement of the three-party deal to win Kevin Love, the veteran with the 2016 championship ring, is facing the most critical choice in his career. There is no other position in the Jazz's reconstruction plan. The team bought out its $4.15 million contract for the last year. It is reported that Kevin Love wants to go to a competitive team to win the NBA championship again, and then choose to retire. Last season, he averaged only 10.9 minutes with the Heat, contributing 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds, and a three-point shooting percentage of 35.8%. The oil that still exists in the fuel tank is precisely the scarce resource that the playoff teams most desire - space-type fifth-position firepower, championship-level locker room leader, and tactical fulcrum at critical moments. In this way, the 36-year-old Kevin Love is most likely to join in the 2025-26 season:

‌1. Strategy Return: The Lakers reunited James, the double puzzle of sentiment and function

The existence of LeBron James is the core gravity of Love's choice of the Lakers. The two have played side by side in Cleveland for four years. In the legend of the 2016 Finals, Love's key defense against Curry is still mentioned repeatedly. After the Lakers' inside adjustment this summer, traditional center Ayton and Hayes became the main players, but their space pulling ability is insufficient. Love's 39% three-point shooting percentage (the past two seasons) can instantly break the opponent's contraction defense, clearing out the channel for James and Davis' pick-and-roll breakthroughs. In the second lineup, the ability to support high positions and quickly serve the bottom line ball is the perfect catalyst for the Lakers to speed up counterattack. Although James and the Lakers' management have a delicate relationship, if he eventually stays in the team, this kind of tacit understanding of the champion partner does not need to be rebuilt.

2. Hometown rekind: The warm curtain call of the Cavaliers and the tactical connection

The Cavaliers' management has publicly expressed their respect for Love many times. If he returns, he can not only complete the story of "fallen leaves return to the roots", but also launch a retired tour that pays tribute to the whole city. The Cavaliers currently focus on Garland, Mobley, and Allen. Love's joining will not squeeze the growth space of young people, but instead become the "tactical mentor on the bench. Love's three-point restraint (37.8% of his career will be long-term. The mid-rate rate can alleviate the congestion of the penalty area caused by Mobley's insufficient shooting, can launch fast attack ability for long passes, and can also activate the runner talent of Garland and Struz.

3. Space City launched: Rockets' championship engine and space revolution

Rockets bet on Durant this summer, and cooperate with new stars such as Shin Kyung and Jaylen Green. The media predicted its top two strength in the West, but the depth of the fifth position was insufficient - Adams had a great injury risk, and Shin Kyung lacked Stable long shots. Love's joining can provide 15-minute high-intensity space support. Its averages 37.8% three-point shooting percentage will completely activate Shen Jing's low singles and Durant's unsolved mid-range shot. In the connection stage, he formed a "double shot + organization" lineup with Van Vleet and Shepard. The firepower continuity will crush most opponents' substitutes. The Rockets have a full middle class available, and the probability of competing for the championship is higher than that of the Lakers Cavaliers, which is significantly tempting to Love.

4. Defend the title of Russia: The Thunder's low risk High-reward puzzle

As the defending champion, the Thunder has the youngest champion core in the league: Alexander, Homegren, Jaylen Williams. If Love joins, he only needs to play a specific tactical piece. The bench lacks the inside line verified by the playoffs. Love's key ball stability can become the coach's "secret weapon".

Everyone thinks that this 36-year-old will go there, welcome to discuss in the comment section!