There is still time for teams to lock their rosters. However, one social media update is enough to spark speculation about a change in a player’s scenario. This time, Kevin Love has the netizens’ approval for his next move. The Mavericks fanbase now believes the move is imminent thanks to Klay Thompson’s recent social media updates.

Klay added a carousel post on Instagram with the caption, “Still at it 20 years later is crazy“. The first photo showed them sitting side by side during a practice session. The second one had Captain Klay attacking the rim while Love watched from the sidelines, and the third was a throwback photo of them when they were kids. Thompson and Love have been childhood friends and even played on the same Lake Oswego All-Star baseball teams in the fifth and sixth grades.

There was a possibility of them reuniting with the Warriors in 2014, even scenarios where they were the central pieces packaged to trade for each other. But now it seems Dallas is the destination. As Marc Stein pointed out. “The Jazz and Kevin Love, I’m told, have not yet moved into serious buyout discussions despite reports to the contrary. It is widely known in league circles that Love is determined to play for a playoff contender at this point in his career. Still, it is also customary for a buyout process to progress to an advanced stage once a post-buyout landing spot is assured.”

Previously, it was Sam Amico of Hoops Wire who reported that a buyout agreement was expected between the Jazz and Love within the next few weeks. So, the search for that spot continues for the 37-year-old former All-Star forward. In July, part of the three-team trade that landed Norman Powell with Miami and John Collins with the Clippers sent Kevin Love to the Jazz.

The 37-year-old will be entering his 18th season in the NBA next month, with the expectation being he’ll spend that with a playoff-contending team. And what better team than the Dallas Mavericks, who have one of the deepest rosters in the league. That’s why a spot with the Mavs is not guaranteed for Love, as the team already has 15 players on their roster.

Mavericks Nation React to Kevin Love’s Potential Addition to their team

As a five-time All-Star, Love wants to play near his home, so the Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers are suitable options, too. But we already saw Klay Thompson reject the Lakers to play in Dallas. That’s why an eager Mavericks fan commented, “Klove to Dallas confirmed“. Being friends since their childhood days will add fuel to the speculation.

They attended elementary school in Lake Oswego. Where Love was a dominating pitcher, and Thompson was more of an all-around player. A netizen reminded everyone of their bond, “CHILDHOOD BESTIES!” It was back in 2023 when their connection led to another speculation for a trade. At the time, Thompson played for the Warriors, and Love was part of the Cavaliers squad. But that never materialized, so can this one come true?

The Mavericks recently waived Olivier-Maxence Prosper and signed Dante Exum to a one-year deal, giving them the league maximum of 15 standard contracts. If Kevin Love’s addition is essential, then Jaden Hardy and Brandon Williams are the obvious choices who are vulnerable for their spots. The former lacks trade value, and Hardy is set to begin the first season of a three-year, $18 million contract he signed last year. At the same time, the latter is on an expiring $2.3 million salary that includes just $200,000 guaranteed. That can rise for Williams to $850,000 if he remains on the roster by opening night and becomes fully guaranteed Jan. 10.

Let’s not forget the return of a fan favorite in Dennis Smith Jr., who was recently offered a training camp contract. So, there will have to be massive changes for the childhood teammates to play again. But the fans remain excited, and who can blame them? One commented with a sarcastic question, “Ballers!🔥❤️ Who’s Kevin Love playing for now? @klaythompson”. Further suggesting that they want to see Love and Thompson together.

Another fan added a GIF with the caption, “Giddy up, let’s go.” While one commented, “So tuff! 👏 Definition of a Hoop Dream 🏀“. Let’s see if the dream comes true for Kevin Love, because the fans are angling for it. Back in 2023, there was some talk, but it withered down. Let’s see if Jazz and Love reach a buyout agreement, then where the 37-year-old feels he belongs.