The Los Angeles Lakers are in a much better spot today than they were two weeks ago. It seemed destined that the Lakers would end up with Russell Westbrook on the roster at the start of the 2022-23 season. However, as is common in the NBA, things could have potentially changed quickly.
First, it was reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic that the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving are at an impasse that opens the door for Irving to leave the team. The Lakers were named as one potential destination for the all-star guard.
Then, an additional report from The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor backed up a previous report from Marc Stein that the Charlotte Hornets are indeed interested in trading for Russell Westbrook. Charlotte needs to free up money on the books in the long term and Westbrook’s expiring contract is enticing in that regard.
Previous reports this offseason indicated that the Lakers would not want to trade a future first-round pick to move off of Westbrook in a salary-dump trade (which the Hornets trade would be). However, the team is much more likely to move a pick in an Irving deal and the Laker could potentially knock out two birds with one stone and loop in both teams in a deal.
Building a Los Angeles Lakers trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Kyrie Irving:
Nets fans are instantly going to jump out of their seats with this trade package because in a vacuum they could get much more for Irving if they were to simply trade him straight up. The problem with that is that Irving has a player option and can flex his leverage, forcing his way to Los Angeles.
For the Nets, it is either get something for Irving or let him walk for free. Some may argue that getting Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier is actually worse in the long run than letting him walk for free because of their long-term contracts. However, the title window does not last forever with Kevin Durant and they have to add talent where they can.
The Lakers are more willing to trade a first in this deal since they are getting Irving back and ship that off to Charlotte, who gets Westbrook with the intention of eventually buying him out to save additional money.
Is this the best trade the Nets can execute to trade Irving to Los Angeles if that is what he wants? No. We actually came up with another trade package that is better for the Nets in a previous article.
But at the end of the day, as we see time and time again, this is a superstar-driven league and if Irving wants to go to the Los Angeles Lakers then that is where he will go and it is the Nets and Lakers’ responsibility to find a potential third team.