An intriguing prospect for the Warriors’ 15th roster spot entered the conversation shortly after Golden State played its 58th game of the season and the team scattered for the All-Star break.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to buy out Kevin Love’s contract, leaving the former All-Star a free agent. Love, who had been out of Cleveland’s rotation, has made it clear that he wants to play, and the Warriors need frontcourt depth.

After all those years of going at it in the NBA Finals, could Love and the Warriors unite and write a playoff story of their own?

Let’s dive in.

The 4-1-1 >> The Warriors were interested in acquiring Love in 2014 when he wanted out of Minnesota. A deal for him, though, would have likely required Klay Thompson, and then-team consultant Jerry West threatened to quit if Golden State went through with it.

The trade never came to fruition. Love went to the Cavaliers, where he has spent the past nine seasons and won a championship. The Warriors went on to win four titles, three of which came against Love and LeBron James.

At 34, Love is in the late stages of his playing career. He’s not the walking double-double he used to be, but he can still provide immense value when healthy.

The 6-foot-8 forward has been dealing with a thumb injury that has impacted his shooting this season. He was cut from the Cavaliers’ rotation in recent weeks, having not played in their past 12 games.

Love is averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists while primarily coming off the bench in 41 games this season. That mark would make him the third-best rebounder on the Warriors behind Kevon Looney and Draymond Green.

Along with his rebounding, Love can help space the floor. He’s a career 40.4% shooter from beyond the arc. Pick-and-pop between Love and Stephen Curry or any of the Warriors’ other guards, would be fun to watch.

Love has 15 years of experience and is known for being a high-IQ player, a trait the Warriors value. He would provide a veteran presence to the bench and would be an upgrade from two-way forward Anthony Lamb, who has been a regular in the rotation this season.

And added bonus: Love is childhood friends with Thompson.

Time is ticking >> There are reportedly several suitors interested in Love, including the Miami Heat. Any team would need to sign Love by March 1 to ensure he’s playoff-eligible.

The Warriors have limited options beyond Love. Serge Ibaka is available on the buyout market as well.

Golden State could also choose to look no further than what’s already in its locker room.

The Warriors have used both two-way players, Lamb and Ty Jerome, more than expected at the start of the season. Converting one of them to a guaranteed deal is not out of the question. A decision to do that isn’t as urgent as a buyout move, since they each can play 50 NBA games under their current contracts. Lamb has played 43 games and Jerome 36.

“We’ll take a look at the names (of available players), look at how everybody might fit, look at our two-way players, see if that makes more sense to put one of them on the main roster,” coach Steve Kerr said, “and we’ll just figure it out.”