Although the LA Clippers are progressing in their boosted market, now individually under Intuit Dome, located in Inglewood, California, their rivalry with the team they used to share a home with, the Los Angeles Lakers, will never fade away. Both are still among the most prominent teams in Los Angeles, competing for the winning spotlight in the NBA.
Furthermore, the Clippers already had one up on the Lakers by taking Brook Lopez off their radar and signing him to a two-year deal. Many fans in the Lakers community wanted to reunite with Lopez, as they desperately needed a center before Deandre Ayton was added.
An increased level of frustration grew among Laker fans once they realized the Clippers had won the race for the veteran big man. It does not help, even slightly, that Los Angeles is still regretting its decision to trade Ivica Zubac, fueling the rivalry even further.
Moreover, the Clippers' offseason has gone well, particularly in terms of Lopez, as they needed a stretch big man for two-way purposes. Head coach Tyronn Lue can officially experiment with lineups that will run opponents off the court with an elite, three-point shooting center.
However, there is no cap on how much shooting a team needs from their big men, and the Clippers could trade for another, who the Lakers currently have on their radar.
Former teammate of LeBron James, Kevin Love, could find his way to the LA Clippers in a potential trade
This summer, Kevin Love has been associated with the LA Clippers, as he was involved in a three-team trade with the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz, which most importantly consisted of players like John Collins and Norman Powell.
Love's name has been in buyout rumors, but the Clippers could make the process straight and simple by making their second trade of the summer with the Jazz for the former NBA champion.
By just letting go of Kobe Brown, the Clippers add another veteran, with a ring and five All-Star appearances, who has averaged 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 99 games with the Heat.
The Lakers could also be focused on trading for Love, primarily because they need a stretch big. Yet, they may also want 2011 rebounding champion because he would be reunited with LeBron James to potentially win another title.
Snagging Love, weeks after signing Lopez, would reasonably disappoint the Laker fanbase, but the Clippers need both, as premier shooting is mandatory to win nowadays.