Lakers would be foolish to let this small hurdle stop a Kyrie Irving trade
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers were a potential landing spot for Kyrie Irving, and then they weren’t, and now they are once more. Kevin Durant demanding a trade from Brooklyn opened the door for the Nets to trade Irving, who opted into the final year of his contract just days before the trade request was made.
Previously, including Russell Westbrook in a trade for Irving would have complicated things. The Nets would not have taken Westbrook back with KD on the roster with the history between those two players. However, with KD now wanting out, trading Westbrook (and picks) to Brooklyn for Kyrie is more than enough; especially considering Nets owner Joe Tsai’s reported preference for the team.
All signs are pointing to the Lakers trading for Kyrie at some point with Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reporting that the two sides are actively working on a deal around Irving and Westbrook. This is a dream scenario for the Lakers with how bad the Westbrook experience went but the team might end up being foolish and letting something inconsequential get in the way.
Per Haynes, the Nets also want to include Joe Harris in the deal to free up money. This is something that has muddied the waters, it seems:
"“Draft compensation is an ongoing talking point for the Nets and they want shooting guard Joe Harris — who is recovering from left ankle surgery — and his remaining $38.6 million owed over the next two years included in the deal, sources said.The Lakers have been disinclined to the inclusion of Harris, and are instead seeking the insertion of sharpshooter Seth Curry as part of the arrangement, sources said.”"
Fans should be outraged if the Los Angeles Lakers get cheap and let Joe Harris stop a Kyrie Irving trade.
While the Los Angeles Lakers obviously want to work out the best deal possible, the idea that the team is pushing back on acquiring Harris and potentially allowing the Nets to talk to other teams is absolutely sickening.
The Lakers are in a horrible position with Russell Westbrook and his contract and the team is being gifted a get-out-of-jail-free card. Better yet, Irving is also on an expiring deal, so it is not like the Lakers are locking themselves into a potentially bad salary situation for four years.
Sure, Curry is the better shooter and has fewer question marks around him when it comes to his injury help but Harris would still be an absolutely perfect fit in Los Angeles. The Lakers need off-ball shooters and Harris proved before that he can be one of the best in the league in that capacity, especially when the focus is on the stars around him.
Los Angeles is potentially letting a player who is a great fit on the team slow down trade talks for Kyrie Irving. Yes, they would have to pay more tax this season and yes, Harris’s contract would be on the books next season.
But if he is healthy, he is worth that contract and the Lakers are already going to have a lot of financial flexibility with both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving being free agents. If Harris was under contract for four more years it would be one thing. A two-year deal is nothing to lose sleep over.
The Lakers got cheap when they let a few million dollars get in the way of re-signing Alex Caruso because of the luxury tax implications it would have had. Hopefully, the multi-billion dollar sports franchise doesn’t get cheap again and blow their one chance to fix things and actually build a contender again.