The Los Angeles Lakers are not going to give up in their pursuit of Kyrie Irving, as Rob Pelinka’s desire to get stars and LA’s need for a more skilled veteran point guard could lead to them pursuing a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Irving is on board with the idea of returning to LeBron James.
Irving has reportedly made it his priority to somehow earn himself a trade to LA. With his player option meaning that he can leave after this season, it stands to reason that Kyrie will be doing everything in his power to wear forum blue and gold at some point in the near future.
Rather than put out some very careful leaks in the media, Irving has pottered around Los Angeles to show that he wants to be a Laker. He even went as far as to show up at a WNBA game in LA with someone he could end up playing alongside in 2022-23.
Irving was spotted attending a Los Angeles Sparks game in LA with current Laker Kendrick Nunn next to him. This could easily be taken as a sign that Irving is trying everything in his power to force his way to Los Angeles. If it doesn’t happen this year, it may happen next season.
Lakers target Kyrie Irving was seen in Los Angeles.
Irving is beyond reproach as a player. His scoring skill has never been more mind-bending, and he remains capable of being the perfect No. 2 scorer on a championship team. The Lakers’ status as a contender would instantly be reinforced by creating this new big three.
The problem with acquiring Irving is that pairing Russell Westbrook with Ben Simmons might not appeal to the Nets. A third party will need to get involved in addition to the Nets taking on Westbrook and somehow figuring out how to pry even more draft capital out from the Lakers.
Even if the Lakers are able to pull off a trade for Irving, his durability is a serious question. Would LA be willing to go all in on two veteran stars that have missed as many big games as they’ve played in over the last couple of seasons? Judging by all of the buzz, it seems like it.
Irving clearly does not want to be in Brooklyn, mostly because they had the audacity to not give him a max contract after missing so much time due to injuries and his vaccine crusade. With NBA players often getting their way when it comes to player movement, Irving could get his wish.
3 sharpshooters the Lakers can still pursue in free agency
The Los Angeles Lakers have not added much shooting to the roster this offseason so the team might be looking at targeting a sharpshooter.