A week following the start of the Free Agency, it is not the free players still available who are shaking the jar of the Lakers or the Nets, but a potential exchange of Kyrie Irving between the two franchises. LeBron would make the push to repatriate his ex-colleague to Los Angeles, Brooklyn keeps his hand on the file… and it is the whole NBA which is stampeding to know the next tribulations of the current leader of the Nets. We have tried to summarize the situation for you, in a few tweets.
LeBron wants to play with Kyrie once more. He is currently putting pressure on Lakers management to make the transfer take place with the Nets.
Soon to be retired, LeBron wants to play the title now, not in 2 or 5 years.
Playing with Kyrie once more would therefore help him in this regard. pic.twitter.com/ay2ho1Pzfx
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
The Nets don’t want to keep Kyrie, but they’re not in the rush either.
Sean Marks’ message is therefore clear: we have plenty of time, go ahead dear Lakers, send your Draft 2027 and 2029 picks without protection.
Until then, we won’t move an inch. pic.twitter.com/YadsAaepoP
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
LeBron, who has nothing to do with the Lakers’ 2027/2029 Draft picks, puts pressure on Pelinka.
He knows his years are numbered, and with Westbrook it doesn’t work. Even with new tactics, Westbrook’s profile doesn’t fit as well as Kyrie’s. pic.twitter.com/Rcc5ZGgKYj
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Rob Pelinka and his staff have an advantage: no one but the Lakers really wants Kyrie right now. The market remains silent.
Negotiations are going their way, except the Nets (who have zero rush) know the Lakers need Kyrie for several reasons. pic.twitter.com/GDfxW6oso1
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Extremely important: it must be understood that LeBron can be a free agent next summer (2023), but he can also be extended to the Lakers this summer, from August 4.
Except that today, it’s radio silence from LeBron around this extension. It’s a huge pressure lever. pic.twitter.com/ezr7Agb5JX
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Important too: we remind you that LeBron’s son, Bronny James, will certainly arrive in the NBA via the 2024 Draft.
And since LeBron’s ultimate dream is to play with his son, it’s a safe bet that he will line up at the Free Agency level in the summer of 2024 to join his team. pic.twitter.com/XF10m3Tynj
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Rob Pelinka, who wants to keep his job, does not want to alienate LeBron or mess up the future of the franchise.
He still has 2 years of contract, but his recent decisions (Westbrook, Caruso, Drummond, the way to fire Vogel) put him on the ejection seat. pic.twitter.com/Ad2803G7Bw
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Jeanie Buss, who sends tweets analyzed in all corners of Los Angeles, does not hide her dissatisfaction.
We whisper that she would like to see Westbrook transferred before the resumption, but without making waves. The internal management of the summer of 2021 annoyed her to the highest point. pic.twitter.com/CQh09OETXq
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Darvin Ham, who had just arrived at the Lakers, did a big job of cleaning up RP by repeating the desires for sacrifice of Westbrook, who would be ready to defend the lead on recovery.
In several opposing franchises, bluffing is called for in an attempt to boost Russ’s rating. pic.twitter.com/5lEf2Muhso
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Around the league, there seems to be common agreement regarding where the Lakers are at right now.
Even with the fine signings of this early Free Agency, the current build with LeBron, AD and Westbrook won’t take them all the way to the title.
Palpable desperation around Kyrie. pic.twitter.com/afObU51aop
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
Rob Pelinka has therefore planned to be at the Summer League in Las Vegas to meet Sean Marks there, and discuss a transfer around Russ and Kyrie in more depth.
No small feat, but the clock is ticking, the pressure being put on by LeBron is real and Irving needs to move. pic.twitter.com/ftuAG7gT3e
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
It remains to be seen what the position of the Nets will be: will Sean Marks remain marble and not move until he has his Draft picks?
Will LeBron extend only on the condition of having Kyrie this summer? What will Jeanie Buss do if it doesn’t move fast?
To be continued. pic.twitter.com/7OuIuJBjJh
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) July 7, 2022
This is where we are on July 8, 2022. Desire to reform one of the craziest doublets in contemporary history on the one hand, interest in not giving anything up on the other, and a file that will have to move asap because following such a trade the dominoes might also fall throughout the NBA, dominoes including a certain… Kevin Durant.
