The Los Angeles Lakers checked off one massive objective on Wednesday as the team agreed to a new two-year contract extension with LeBron James. With this roster not currently set to contend, this was a promising sign as it seemingly indicated that a Russell Westbrook trade would be next.
The biggest possible Westbrook trade that the Lakers can make is for Kyrie Irving. Los Angeles has been connected to Irving via trade for months now as the Lakers sit back and hope that the Nets end up actually trading Kevin Durant so they also trade Kyrie.
Rob Pelinka does not have much to offer via trade with the most valuable assets being future first-round picks. At first, it was reported that the Lakers didn’t want to trade a future pick to move off Westbrook, then it was that they didn’t want to trade multiple future picks, now, the team seems willing to move both its 2027 first-round pick and 2029 first-round pick.
This is smart as the team needs to commit to contending and has more first-round picks in upcoming seasons than fans realize. The only problem is that Brooklyn does not seem to be very interested in a Lakers trade, even with two first-round picks.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter that Los Angeles might be willing to give up both first-round picks for Kyrie Irving but the Nets have not been interested (h/t Hoops Rumors). Ouch.
REPORT: The Lakers have been willing to include both of their first round-picks in a Kyrie Irving deal but the Nets are not interested.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 18, 2022
(via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/YyLtSBEmmf
This is a gut-wrenching blow for the Lakers because this is the only thing the team really has to offer. Despite Los Angeles being the only team seemingly in the Kyrie Irving trade market, it appears that the Nets are being stubborn with their two star players and not letting them take the franchise hostage.
The Los Angeles Lakers may simply have to say goodbye to Kyrie Irving.
Every week there is a new report that swings these discussions one way or another but if the Lakers are willing to trade two first-round picks and the Nets still are not budging then that is the most telling report of them all.
Just think about it: if the Nets are not willing to trade Irving for two firsts then they definitely are not going to shortchange themselves when it comes to a Durant trade. That market has not been as plentiful as the team expected, which is why it has taken this long.
In the long run, it is probably smarter for the Nets to get off these players now and stockpile assets. However, if kept together, the Nets still do have a chance at the NBA Finals with Durant, Irving and Ben Simmons (if he plays).
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You cannot blame the Nets for simply trying to keep it together for one more season ‘Last Dance’ style knowing that they could potentially contend.