If the Lakers have a realistic chance to land Kyrie Irving, they should brush aside any concerns about his reliability and make the move, argues Bill Oram of The Athletic. L.A. has been mentioned as a potential destination for Irving if his contract talks with the Nets remain at an impasse. While that could be a negotiating ploy from Irving’s camp, there was a report Wednesday that he has spoken to LeBron James about teaming up again.
Oram believes head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka should jump at the chance to add Irving, who could spark a quick turnaround for an L.A. team that missed the playoffs this season. Oram admits there’s a “buyer beware” component to Irving, who has only played 93 total games in his three seasons with the Nets because of injuries, a commitment to social causes and his stand against vaccine mandates, but he says the Lakers can’t afford to pass on his talent.
There’s more on the Lakers:
- In an appearance Wednesday on NBA Today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski called the Lakers “the most significant threat” to sign Irving if he opts out of his current contract and becomes a free agent (video link). However, L.A. would be limited to the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is projected at $6.39MM, and there are questions about whether Irving – even as unpredictable as he is – would accept such a drastic pay cut. A more realistic option could be a three-team trade, and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report looks at scenarios involving the Lakers, Nets and Thunder.
- L.A. is among a handful of teams entering today’s draft without a pick, but its recent success in developing unheralded players provides confidence that it can still find help in this year’s rookie class, writes Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. Austin Reaves was the latest example, but the Lakers have also been successful with Alex Caruso, Talen Horton-Tucker and Mason Jones.
- Derrick Williams and Darren Collison were the most prominent names at a Lakers’ mini-camp on Tuesday, tweets JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors. Justin Tillman, Craig Randall II, Sindarius Thornwell, Olivier Sarr, Antonio Blakeney and Jaylen Adams were among the other players on hand.
(1994) Kidd/EJones/GHill/Big Dog/Juwan with Jalen Rose, Aaron McKie, Wes Person, Lamond Murray & Donyell Marshall off bench vs (1998) Bibby/Vince/Pierce/Jamison/Dirk with White Chocolate, Ricky Davis, Larry Hughes, Rashard Lewis & Al Harrington off bench… who wins a 7gm series bw these 2 teams if all 20 guys are 26yrs old & who would be MVP of the series?…
98 no-brainer hands down sweep.
Not sure, IMO 94 is a far more balanced team, Good offense with really good defense. Ill take them in 6.
94 definitely the better defensive squad but they’d still have a TOUGH time trying to handle that big German. If Big Dog or Person got hot from deep Kidd would find em all day long tho. I love the defensive versatility of the 94 team & they’d prob own the boards too but they’d have to double Dirk & that’s constant pressure on a defense
Love seeing the lakers struggle. Those salty laker fans tears must taste so nice
Chill on being such a hater. Why not focus on liking your own team instead of hating on another team? Lakers are historically my least favorite team too tbh & I gotta be honest I have A STRONG dislike for all things uga. But it would seem unhealthy asf if I got anywhere near as much happiness from seeing uga lose than see Tech win.
Go worry about the hawks or post your 10th iteration of I know nobody cares but who wins out of these teams. You make sillyman look intelligent
AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE CAUSE STONE COLD SAID SO!
“Why not focus on liking your own team instead of hating on another team?”
We’re 21st century sports fans, we can multitask
apparently you feel like “We’re 21st century sports fans” = We’re toxic by nature.. I promise that doesn’t have to be the case. Just bc it’s possible or even expected for u to be a hater doesn’t mean you have to be 1
Are you still talking? I thought we were enemies on here why you coming at me
Too much optimism misleads from the getgo… NBA statuses are finite, not infinite.
Does LA even have the cap room to add Irving? The Nets aren’t going to take Westbrook back.
No. Read the article not just the headline.
Westbrook + 2 first rounders (and any sweeteners) for Gordon Hayward & Terry Rozier?
Hayward is just as much a negative value as Westbrook so I don’t really see the 2 first rounders being needed. Maybe one at most.
No idea what Rozier is worth I haven’t been following him. Forgot he exists.
Lakers currently have LeBron and Stanley Johnson on the wing. If they can turn Westbrook into two solid players that would be ideal. Hornets would get out of future deals and frugal MJ can save some money.
How about a Kevin Love and Collin Sexton Sign & Trade for Westbrook and Picks?
@Jimmy
Cavs wouldn’t want Westbrook. They have Garland at the point and Sexton at the SG position. Injecting Westbrook into their mix isn’t needed or suggested.
Nobody wants Westbrook but the Cavs might want a couple draft picks before they lose Sexton for nothing. There’s the Klutch Sports factor as well as the logjam in the front court. Also gonna have to pay Mobley and Levert soon enough. This trade might need a third team but there’s some incentive for Cleveland to consider.
Jimmy, what “two first-rounders?” 2029? And 31?
I believe ‘27 and ‘29 are the earliest they can trade. It’s a hypothetical question so it really doesn’t matter what picks. My point is Cavs could lose Sexton for nothing. Why not get something in return?
Kyrie to the Lakers. KD to the Sixers.
Irving is enjoying all the media attention just to resign with Nets later. SMH at sport writers who think LA has a shot at Irving.
If Irving takes $6m to go to LA and recombine with James, I might wonder for MY fantasies… Is a kneecap more vulnerable with the knee bent or straight?
That fantasy should not literally be engaged… nor should Sankara’s be a topic. It’s draft day finally
It is funny since Irving wasn’t happy about how little praise he got for winning a championship with james. Irving resigns with Nets is about a 90% chance.
Since the only shot for the Lakers is if Krazy Kyrie decides to show the Nets he’s willing to lose 10’s of millions and sign for the taxpayer’s’ MLE, it’s a no brainer that they “make the move”.
Seriously dumb stating the obvious from the Athletic.
Just want to say I love the mute button. Makes this place so much more tolerable
What?