Lakers-Kyrie Irving trade is more likely after Donovan Mitchell rumors
By Jerry Trotta
The start to NBA free agency has lived up to the hype, but fans are waiting for the remaining dominos to fall. The reason for the holdup? The lack of clarity surrounding Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s futures in Brooklyn. Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers have been pegged the most likely landing spot for Irving.
With that said, it might be a while before a trade comes to fruition as the Nets reportedly would like to get Durant’s future situated before they address Irving.
While the Lakers are seemingly in no rush to pursue Irving, their approach to free agency — signing younger players as opposed to giving the MLE to a veteran — suggests they plan on adding the star point guard at some point.
LeBron James would prefer that happen sooner rather than later, and the latest bombshell report out of Utah could help the four-time Finals MVP reunite with his former Cavaliers running mate in a timely manner.
With the Jazz reportedly open to moving Donovan Mitchell, NBA reporter Evan Sidery floated a blockbuster deal involving the Nets and Jazz.
Hypothetically speaking, a multi-team deal involving the Nets and Jazz makes so much sense. Utah could use Mitchell to obtain a historic amount of draft capital on top of the Rudy Gobert trade.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 12, 2022
Mitchell also fits exactly what Brooklyn desires in a Durant return package, too.
How the Donovan Mitchell rumors could help the Lakers net Kyrie Irving.
The Nets’ asking price for Durant has been obscene. Just ask the Timberwolves, as Brooklyn reportedly asked for Karl Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and four first-round picks in exchange for the disgruntled superstar.
Not only is Durant not worth that much (he’s entering his age-34 season and has a worrisome injury history), but Minnesota has zero intention of blowing up its core. Clearly high on Towns and Edwards, the T’Wolves just surrendered four first-round picks and a bevy of role players to acquire Rudy Gobert from Utah as they look to improve their standing in the loaded Western Conference.
Speaking of which, the Jazz are clearly set on a full-blown rebuild and the Nets, who’ve been stunned by the lack of market for Durant, could feed off their newfound willingness to trade Mitchell. Brooklyn has said to want a star player in return for KD (obviously), and Mitchell, a three-time All-Star who’ll turn 26 in September and can score 30 points in his sleep, checks all of the requisite boxes.
After previously shutting down inquiries on moving All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, rival teams say the Utah Jazz are showing a willingness to listen on possible trade scenarios, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2022
How the Nets build around Mitchell is a different story, as facilitating a trade for the Louisville product would further deplete them from a draft capital standpoint (see the James Harden trade), but that’s not the Lakers’ concern.
With Brooklyn wanting to offload Durant before it turns to Irving, Lakers fans should be rooting for the Nets to get involved in the Mitchell sweepstakes.
