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3 reasons why a Kyrie Irving trade is a no-brainer for the Lakers

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets on the bench prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 29, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 29: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets on the bench prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on January 29, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Keeps Anthony Davis in Los Angeles and establishes the future

Yes, there are concerns about how a potential Kyrie Irving contract could age if the team is paying him max money through his age 35 season. That is absolutely a legitimate concern and it could get ugly like the Westbrook situation has when Irving is in the last year of his deal.

That being said, the Lakers should not let one potentially bad season in five years keep them from making a move that will open up the championship window this year but also give the team a good foundation in the immediate future.

LeBron James’ future with the team is unclear and even with Irving in LA he could leave after the 2022-23 season. Trading for Irving probably does keep him around for one more year but that would likely be it as he would want to play with his son after that.

The Lakers need to prepare for a time post-LeBron and right now the plan seems to be to build around Anthony Davis. However, if LeBron leaves and the Lakers are unable to land anyone in free agency then Davis could pack his bags and demand a trade to his next team as well.

Getting Irving now keeps that from happening and in theory, the Lakers would get to build around this Kyrie-AD partnership for the 2-3 years once LeBron leaves. They will have much more cap space with LeBron leaving and could potentially turn that into great depth or another sign-and-trade situation for another star in the future.

The Lakers are risking going back into the dark ages after this Westbrook trade. If this next season is a disaster with Westbrook it could push LeBron away, which would push Anthony Davis away, which would leave the Lakers with no stars, not a lot of assets and a bad reputation for how they handled this situation.

Next. Westbrook and the 10 worst trades in franchise history. dark

With Irving, the team stays relevant and stays in contention for at least the next 3-4 years. That is more than worth it for Westbrook and two first-round picks.

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