The Los Angeles Lakers have made it no secret that they want Kyrie Irving. LeBron James wants to team up with him again. He provides a skillset L.A. needs to ensure that a repeat of last year’s nightmare doesn’t reoccur. It just makes sense on all fronts.
That said, up to this point in negotiations with the Brooklyn Nets, the Lakers have been resistant to roll over and give up too much.
As a result, despite a general framework for a possible deal having leaked out more than a month ago, no actual trade has materialized.
Well, it appears as though L.A. is now shifting gears.
To date, the Lakers have been unwilling to part with two first round picks in a prospective trade for Irving.
This week, ‘The Athletic’ Lakers insider Jovan Buha appeared on the ‘Late Night Lake Show’ Twitter space and suggested that the tides were turning.
Jovan states that it’s trending towards the Lakers giving up both picks to get Kyrie.
— Richard Staple, BSN, RN🇯🇲 (@RichStapless) August 10, 2022
Buha added that he continues to feel as though a trade is “inevitable.”
None of this should come as a huge surprise. The Lakers are in a terrible place with Russell Westbrook, and replacing him with Irving is a no-brainer. Because everyone knows this, L.A. has very little leverage.
Which is what made the front office’s steadfast refusal to give up two first rounders laughable. Everyone knew that they would give in immediately, so it was just a waiting game for the Nets.
There’s a reason Westbrook is suddenly lashing out so much on social media – he sees the writing on the wall.
L.A. came into the offseason with a Plan A and a Plan B in mind. Their preference at this point is clear.
Obviously the Lakers will continue posturing for some semblance of trade leverage, but it’s plain as day that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get Irving.
— Game 7 (@game7__) August 10, 2022
When will this inevitable deal ultimately go down?
Time will tell.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
