Los Angeles Lakers: 3 teams who are threats to trade for Kyrie Irving

3. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are in an interesting spot as they seemingly have the talent to contend and if they simply did nothing then they could end up being one of the most exciting teams in the Western Conference next season.

However, they do not have a true superstar outside of Zion Williamson, who did not even play last season. While it might not be the best move in the long term, this could prompt New Orleans to try and get that superstar in Kyrie to make Zion happy and go after an NBA Championship.

The Pelicans would obviously have to give up a talented player in return and the most logical player for the team to give up would be former Laker, Brandon Ingram. The salaries match almost perfectly and it would be a similar trade to the Utah deal with one extra pick.

Ingram does not have the same status in the league as Gobert, hence the two picks. With the Pelicans having the Lakers pick next year they will be more likely to trade their own pick. They also will still expect the Bucks to be good in 2024, trading that pick as well.

This would create a really interesting team in New Orleans that could actually make a run at the NBA Finals if Zion can stay healthy and Kyrie can actually turn in a full season. The starting five would be Kyrie, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Zion and Jonas Valanciunas.

The bench would be solid with Jose Alvarado, Larry Nance Jr., Jaxson Hayes, Devonte’ Graham and the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, which can be used for depth or to trade for depth.

That is a really fun basketball team and meanwhile, the Nets would get a positionless wing in Brandon Ingram, giving the team Kevin Durant and Kevin Durant-light.