Kyrie Irving seems keen to play with Los Angeles Lakers next season.
According to multiple reports, Irving is in the process of forcing his way from Brooklyn to LA. And a Report Saturday even suggested that the Nets and Lakers were already discussing a possible deal that would involve Russell Westbrook.
The Lakers and Nets said they were “optimistic” that a deal could materialize Chris Haynes from Yahoo!
Writing that there were hurdles to be overcome, however, Haynes wrote that the Nets “owe shooting guard Joe Harris — who is recovering from left ankle surgery — and his remaining $38.6 million he owes over the next two years.” , want to include in the deal”.
The Lakers, meanwhile, preferred having Seth Curry over Harris.
Irving, a seven-time All-Star, signed a year-long tender with the Nets on Monday after previously considering opting out, indicating he was primed to apply for the Nets next season.
But Kevin Durant turned that assumption into an afterthought with his shocking trade request Thursday afternoon. And shortly after Durant’s date, the Irving to LA rumors took on a life of their own.
While Saturday’s report on the ongoing talks between Irving and Westbrook was interesting, the question remains: should the Lakers go all-in for the seven-time All-Star?
In the eyes of FOX Sports NBA author Ric Bucher, the Lakers should definitely push urgently.
How serious should the Lakers be about pursuing Kyrie Irving?
Kyrie Irving made his $37 million player option with the Brooklyn Nets earlier this week. However, one report states that he is “focused on forcing himself into the Lakers”. Ric Bucher shares the main reason LA should be all-in against Kyrie.
“I’m super excited for the Lakers to get Kyrie Irving,” he said on Friday’s Speak For Yourself.
“What are your alternatives?” asked he. “How else are they going to get better? What other high profile players say, ‘I want to play for the Los Angeles Lakers’? He’ll have to make his way to the Lakers, but he doesn’t have to force his way out of the Brooklyn Nets. With KD walking out the door, they’re more than ready to move Kyrie.
For Bucher, Durant’s trade request changes everything for Irving’s trade market.
“The Lakers are no longer adding plays to KD and Ben Simmons. Now all that has changed. It’s very possible the Nets would be willing to take back less for Kyrie in a sign-and-trade, and look at it as addition through subtraction, which is what works for the Lakers, they might not have to do as much give up like they should have done for Kyrie before.
“In addition, KD has made it clear that he would like to play with Kyrie Irving. I don’t see a way they’re getting KD now, but where are the Lakers going? How much longer will they have LeBron? [James]? If getting Kyrie now – regardless of what happens this season – means you might get Kevin Durant on the line, then it’s definitely worth getting Kyrie. I have no expectations that Kyrie will change things or make the Lakers a contender by going there, but he certainly improves them on some level. I don’t see any other way for them to improve.”
When the Lakers first inquired about the star point guard’s availability, Brooklyn’s interest in a deal with LA was incredibly low. Could Durant’s change of heart lead to the Nets taking a different stance on Irving?
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