The last six weeks for the Los Angeles Lakers have all been about Kyrie Irving. Los Angeles has patiently waited while the Brooklyn Nets sort out their mess as the only team willing to trade for Kyrie Irving.
Since the Lakers are not competing against anyone they do not need to send in a massive bid in order to get Irving. However, since they don’t really have any assets to trade and would be sending Russell Westbrook, the draft capital price won’t be cheap.
For most of the offseason, it appeared that the Lakers were trying to get the deal done for just one first-round pick and were not willing to include a second first-round pick. However, that has seemingly now changed as Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports that Los Angeles is now expected to offer two first-round picks for Irving.
The Lakers are expected to step up their pursuit of Kyrie Irving by finally offering the maximum number of first-round picks.
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) August 10, 2022
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While some fans may not want the team to mortgage its future in its pursuit of Kyrie Irving, this is ultimately the best line of thinking that the front office can have. If LA can work out a deal with only one first-round pick then great. If not, the team shouldn’t draw the line at including a second first-round pick.
The Los Angeles Lakers can afford to send two picks for Kyrie Irving.
The Los Angeles Lakers have more first-round picks in the next several years than they advertise. The Lakers cannot trade a pick until 2027 but over the next four years, Los Angeles will end up with a first-round pick in three drafts. There is only one draft from now through 2026 in which the Lakers won’t have a first-round pick.
This is the situation that the team put itself in and it has to be willing to make this offer. The front office can’t put up this front that it is trying to build a contender this season and then actively do things that do not help the contending chances.
If LA does not want to contend and send future assets then they should blow it up, it is as simple as that. If they want to contend then they have to go for it and make the necessary moves. No team wins the NBA Championship by halfway going for it.
It will be interesting to see if someone like Joe Harris is included in this potential deal or if the Lakers take him on for the cost of just one pick. Brooklyn does not want to take on more salary in a Kyrie Irving trade and attaching Harris would allow the team to save money.
While the Lakers love to act like they are a small-market franchise, they can afford the extra tax payment that would come if they added Harris. Plus, he fits the team so perfectly, so it would be money well spent.
The 3 teams that can help the Lakers accelerate a Kyrie Irving trade
The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping that these three teams can trade for Kevin Durant and accelerate a potential Kyrie Irving trade.
Regardless, whether it be the picks or the money, the Lakers cannot be cheap in this situation. Fans should be glad that the team is seemingly coming to its senses about that.