Los Angeles Lakers: What Kyrie Irving’s willingness to meet means

Kyrie Irving is open to meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer to possibly reunite with LeBron James in the purple and gold. What does this all mean?

Lost in the midst of Magic Johnson’s departure and the Los Angeles Lakers‘ front office overhaul was the best news the Lakers received in a while.

Last week, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported on his radio show, at the 7:11 mark, that Boston Celtics’ star, Kyrie Irving, is willing to meet with the Lakers this summer for a potential reunion with LeBron James.

"“I’m told Kyrie Irving will grant the Lakers an interview this offseason, this summer. The Lakers will have an opportunity to get Kyrie Irving to come to LA. I didn’t say he’s coming to LA! I did not say that. I don’t know what he’s gonna do. But during his free agent tour, I’m told he’s gonna give the Lakers an interview.”"

So far, Kyrie Irving has not given any indication that the loss of Magic Johnson and the Lakers’ current transitional period have dissuaded him from meeting with the Lakers this summer.

This season, Kyrie Irving is averaging 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1.5 steals. 0.5 blocks, 48.7% FG, 40.1% 3PT, and 87.3% FT, with a 24.3 PER (player efficiency rating).

Notably, Irving is shooting the three-ball as well as the Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson in the regular season. Thompson shot 40.2% from deep while Irving shot 40.1%.

Kyrie Irving is exactly what LeBron James and the Lakers sorely need. He is a deadly 3-point shooter, an 87.3% free throw shooter, an elite ball handler who can create his own shot, a deft playmaker who can take the ball out of James’ hands and run the offense, and be a nightly box-office draw at Staples Center.

Most importantly, Kyrie Irving is a proven champion who knows how to win with LeBron James and defeat the Golden State Warriors.

So what does Kyrie Irving’s willingness to sit down with the Lakers mean?