Lakers: Kyrie Irving trade might be around the corner after Nets signings
By Jason Reed
The biggest story hanging over the Los Angeles Lakers is a potential impending Kyrie Irving trade. At this point, it seems more likely than not that Irving will be on the Lakers next season as his trade value has reportedly tanked and the Lakers have the perfect reason to trade for him in the form of Russell Westbrook.
However, anything can happen in the NBA and nothing is official until it happens. With the Nets also working out a Kevin Durant trade, it makes sense that things have stalled while Brooklyn weighs the best options.
These two trades may no longer be stalled based on the Nets’ activity on Tuesday morning. Brooklyn signed forward T.J. Warren (who would have been a great gamble for the Lakers) and shooting guard Edmond Sumner. This may be the team preparing the roster to make two huge trades.
How these signings connect to a Kyrie Irving trade for the Lakers:
A potential Kyrie Irving trade might not only include Irving. Reports indicated that Brooklyn wants the Lakers to potentially take on Joe Harris in the deal as well, with the Lakers seemingly preferring Seth Curry. Los Angeles could end up getting both players if they included Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn in the trade back to Brooklyn.
Whether or not the Lakers get Harris, Curry, or both, this trade adds depth directly to those two positions. In a vacuum, Warren replaces Harris at the three while Sumner replaces Curry at the two. Both players could be on the move in the coming hours or days.
That is a promising sign as far as the Lakers are concerned as it would be extremely silly to pass on a potential Irving trade just because the team potentially doesn’t want to take on Joe Harris. This is a multi-billion dollar sports franchise that can afford the extra tax bill. Plus, it is not like Harris significantly restricts the team financially after this season.
In fact, it actually makes more sense to take on Harris as he is exactly what the team needs to add to the roster. There are other needs, of course, but Harris is one of the best off-ball shooters in the entire sport.
At the end of the day, these two signings very well could be the appetizer to the big moves around the corner. Before the end of the week, Kyrie Irving could be a Laker.