Los Angeles Lakers would become contenders with Kyrie Irving

The Los Angeles Lakers will face some big decisions this offseason. If they are able to sign Kyrie Irving, he would make them into contenders.

The Los Angeles Lakers will be in the midst of one of their biggest off-seasons in franchise history. Now that they have their first franchise player in LeBron James since Kobe Bryant’s retirement in 2016, they must capitalize.

The opportunity for another star is there as the free agent class is loaded with talent. Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker are some of the headliners. One free agent possibility for the Lakers will be Kyrie Irving, who has played with James before. The pair won a title back in 2016.

Irving averaged 35 points over the final three games, helping the Cavaliers erase a 3-1 deficit against the 73-9 Warriors.

The truth is James, who is still dominant, is exiting his prime as he is 34-years-old. The Lakers don’t need necessarily another franchise player, but they can surely use another one. The team will project as a middle of the pack playoff team in the West without any big additions.

Any addition, particularly if it’s a star player would make them an instant threat. The team already has three young gifted players in Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Kyle Kuzma.

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Los Angeles also has the No. 4 pick in the draft. If the Lakers decide to keep it, instead of packaging it in a trade, there are intriguing options. Players like DeAndre Hunter, Coby White, Darius Garland, Jarrett Culver, and Cameron Reddish can be impact guys right away.

Ingram’s health will be key to the Lakers upcoming year, although it’s expected for him to make a full recovery. The 21-year-old stud averaged 18.3 points on 50 percent shooting this season. Over his last six games after the All-Star break, he put up 27.8 points and 7.5 rebounds.

Here is why Kyrie Irving can turn the Lakers into a true contender.

This season, Irving led the Celtics to a 49-33 record before a disappointing playoff run. The 27-year-old point guard averaged 23.8 points, 6.9 assists, and five rebounds.

Irving is a great shooter the Lakers can use, as they shot only 33 percent from deep (29th). The guard shot 40 percent from three and 87 percent from the charity stripe.

If the Lakers add Irving they’d likely move Ball to the two-guard on defense. Ball will still play the point on offense at least for stretches. Pairing Ball with Kyrie Irving would make sense due to his terrific defense and size. Ball is one of few point guards that can comfortable defend other wing spots.

In the playoffs, things began smoothly as Boston swept Indiana. To be fair, Indiana was without their star, Victor Oladipo, who was out with a knee injury. Their Eastern Conference Semifinals began in a similar fashion as Boston beat Milwaukee by 22 on the road in Game 1. Irving ended the game with 26 points and 11 assists.

Things changed in dramatic fashion as Milwaukee won the next four games and Irving was nonexistent. Irving averaged 19 points on 30 percent shooting over the stretch. It was a poor way to end the season for a team with such high expectations.

No one is saying Kyrie Irving is for sure out of Boston despite some rumors. If he does decide to leave, the Lakers are a realistic option.

Los Angeles has the money to offer and he has been one of few players to be able to play his game with a dominant ballhandler in James. If the Lakers add Irving, they will be in the mix to contend with the league’s best. They might even give the almighty Warriors some fits.

A team with this talent will certainly be on the level of the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers. The question like with many teams making changes will be chemistry.

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One thing is for certain; the Western Conference teams will be in trouble if Irving lands with the purple and gold.

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