We already imagine Kyrie Irving in a Lakers jersey, reunited again with LeBron James. Unlike that of Kevin Durant, immersed in uncertainty, the case of the leader took a clear and clear direction. Los Angeles wants Irving, Irving wants to go to Los Angeles, and the Brooklyn Nets don’t have many more options. This is why the front offices would have decided to meet, face to face, in order to move things forward.
Rob Pelinka et Sean Marks, the GMs of the Lakers and Nets, are both in Las Vegas for the Summer League. The occasion, selon Dave McMenaminto discuss a potential transfer of Kyrie Irving against Russell Westbrook. A rumor has been gaining momentum over the past few weeks.
What if the Nets kept Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving?
Advantage Nets, what will the Lakers do?
From ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the California franchise is the only one seriously trying to get Irving back. Negotiations are even already underway, selon Chris Haynes de Yahoo Sports. And while Brooklyn is seemingly comfortable keeping the player until training camp, the sooner the better for both teams. Especially for the Lakers, who must prepare for 2022-2023 and who benefit from more visibility on their project.
The question is above all whether Los Angeles will be ready to sacrifice a few draft rounds in this potential trade. If the Nets were inclined to accept a swap between the two players, it probably would have been done for a while. But, after a disappointing season, Westbrook doesn’t seem like enough of a match for James’ former lieutenant.
Kyrie Irving comes out of an exercise with 27.4 points, 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds, almost 42% from three points. He seems to be, on paper, a much better fit for LA than Russell Westbrook. The team still lacks shooting and would greatly benefit from the arrival of a new ball carrier. The Lakers therefore have every interest in carrying out this transfer on a sporting level, while the reciprocal raises doubts. That’s why Brooklyn is waiting for additional compensation.
The meeting will make it possible to establish, once and for all, whether it is possible to find an agreement that satisfies both sides. The question of a third team – like Spurs – to absorb Westbrook’s contract will probably come later. Anyway, it could be that the case is progressing a big step in the days to come.
If Kyrie Irving doesn’t come, the Lakers have two targets to forget about him