The Los Angeles Lakers are considered to be a serious threat if Kyrie Irving decides to move on from the Brooklyn Nets.
During the past few days, Kyrie Irving’s negotiations with the Brooklyn Nets suffered a setback. Next season, Irving could play for a different team. It is already clear that many teams are preparing themselves for the possibility of Kyrie Irving becoming available.
The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as the strongest contender to land Irving. The connection between LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving, who have won a championship together earlier could prove vital here.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, The Lakers are considered the ‘serious threat to land Irving. He stated that landing in L.A. would require Kyrie to take a substantial pay cut of about $30 million.
Famous NBA Journalist, Marc Stein also gave his views on this matter. He said, “There are credible rumblings in circulation that Irving, for starters, has indeed had some recent contact with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, his former Cleveland teammate, to presumably discuss a potential reunion in Hollywood.”
Marc Stein believes Kyrie Irving to the Lakers is a possibility despite various obstacles ahead
Marc Stein further discussed the potential reunion of Kyrie and LeBron James in Los Angeles. Even though the Lakers are in the front seat to land Irving, they’ll have many obstacles ahead of them to make it happen.
He said, “I’m told it would be a stretch, though, to suggest that the Lakers are currently pursuing Irving. They do not possess the trade assets to realistically engage Brooklyn in Irving trade talks even if he exercises his player option for next season.”
Stein added, “Also: The Lakers, as things stand, couldn’t offer Irving more than the midlevel exception for tax-paying teams for next season if Irving bypasses his player option to opt for free agency. That MLE, remember, tops out at a projected $6.39 million.”
For Kyrie to sign with the Lakers, he’ll need to sacrifice a lot of money, at least for this season. Despite his unavailability, the Lakers would love to have Irving on the board, as he’ll instantly put them in a way better situation.
Marc Stein further said, “The idea of Irving declining his player option and essentially playing for $30 million less in L.A., even after the $15-plus million he willingly sacrificed last season by refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and missing the first 35 games of the season, just doesn’t seem plausible.“
Will the Los Angeles Lakers become a championship contender, if they are able to bring Irving?
The duo of Kyrie Irving and LeBron James have already proved that they are a winning combination. Moreover, they’ll get the opportunity to play with Anthony Davis.
If this deal actually goes through, then this might be the best big 3 in the history of the NBA. It will immediately make them among the favorites to win the championship.
AD, LeBron, and Kyrie will absolutely destroy the league if they are paired together. However, it all remains as big ‘if’ because Kyrie’s exit from the Nets isn’t certain yet, and many things can transpire in a couple of days.
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