Kevin Durant already far from the Nets, Kyrie Irving should unsurprisingly follow him in stride. It is almost impossible to see the two continue together, especially since the point guard would like to join the Lakers. The latter could try their luck this summer, with an offer imagined by The Athletic. No choice, Rob Pelinka will have to make an effort.
It’s a reconstruction that is taking shape at the Nets in the coming weeks, but above all a lot of work for the front office. The latter will have to negotiate the departure of Kevin Durant to a new destination, which could become the biggest deal in the history of the league. The star remains in his prime, with 4 years of contract, which means that the price increases accordingly. The person concerned asked to join one of these two destinationsbut ultimately does not have the luxury of choosing.
A thorny issue, while it is also necessary to manage the Kyrie Irving episode. With this departure from KD, there is no doubt that the point guard will be the next to go. The Lakers are already on the move, they who still want to recruit Uncle Drew to improve their leads. Russell Westbrook could go the opposite way, provided the offer is attractive. This is where The Athletic comes in.
Upcoming trade between the Nets and the Lakers?
No information on a possible deal, but it didn’t take long to see a conceivable offer from the Lakers to recruit Irving. Westbrook must obviously be part of the deal, while the franchise must also give up first-round draft picks. For Sam Amick and Jovan Buha, this is the only way to recruit the former Cavaliers player. Otherwise, we may have to wait a year for number 11 to be free.
Framework of a potential LA/Nets trade for Kyrie:
“Irving and a 2nd Nets player (Seth Curry, the newly acquired Royce O’Neale or Day’Ron Sharpe) in exchange for Westbrook and the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 1st-round selections.”
(via @sam_amick/@jovanbuha, https://t.co/LsNArSYuhp) pic.twitter.com/1nr1jkXJe0
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 1, 2022
Irving and a second Nets player (Seth Curry, newcomer Royce O’Neale, or Day’Ron Sharpe) in exchange for Westbrook, and the 2027 and 2029 first-round Lakers.
This exchange is possible, and roughly locates what it will take to get Irving back in the City of Angels. Ultimately, the big problem is the risk taken by the front office here. By swapping the first round of 2027 and 2029, the Angelinos are ruining their very long-term future. This is why the trade in question remains unlikely, but not necessarily impossible if Irving is seen as the missing piece.
Nets have no leverage, Kyrie is gone. Lucky if you get 1 1st
— PelinkGOD (@LakersForDays) July 1, 2022
The Nets have no leverage, Kyrie is way off. They are lucky if they recover a first round
Such an offer for Kyrie Irving? That would be great for the Nets, but a lot for a player who only has one year left on his contract. Should the Lakers take all the risks in these conditions? The answer is no, and so far Rob Pelinka refuses. We risk playing for time in this case.