'Basketball Wives' Star -- Draya, Orlando Split Is Sad ... They Really Loved Each Other

Sometimes breakups are for the best ... but not Draya Michele and Orlando Scandrick -- because according to Draya's "Basketball Wives" co-star ... they really did love each other.

We spoke with Brandi Maxiell about the conscious uncoupling -- and she broke it down this way .... "It's sad and unfortunate because I've been around them and they love each other so much."

As we previously reported, Draya had been dating the Dallas Cowboys star for about 2 years before they called it quits ... shocking considering they were just talking about marriage a few months ago.