Kyrie Irving has reportedly talked to LeBron James about a reunion in L.A., but it’s “a stretch” to say the Lakers are currently trying to acquire Irving, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column. There’s increased speculation this week that Irving and the Nets may not be able to work out a new contract, and the Lakers are believed to be one of his potential landing spots if he does leave Brooklyn.
However, Stein is skeptical of their chances considering their current financial situation. If Irving opts in to his $36.9MM salary for next season, the Lakers don’t have the necessary trade assets to pry him away from the Nets, Stein states. And if he opts out, L.A. can’t offer more than the taxpayer mid-level exception, which is projected at $6.39MM.
Stein expects Irving to remain in Brooklyn, saying it’s unlikely he’ll pass on such a lucrative player option. Stein also cites a leaguewide expectation that the Nets will work out at least a short-term deal with Irving to avoid causing any friction with Kevin Durant.
Stein shares information on a few more topics:
- The Heat could be a team to watch if the Nets decide to trade Irving. Although Irving doesn’t seem like a natural fit for “Heat culture,” Stein notes that Miami is always willing to pursue stars when they hit the market.
- League sources tell Stein that the Knicks would be a legitimate threat to sign Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson if they can clear enough cap space to make a max offer. The Brunson family’s connections to team president Leon Rose and the team’s recent hiring of Rick Brunson, Jalen’s father, as an assistant coach give New York an advantage. However, Stein notes that the Knicks’ efforts to unload salary suffered a setback with Alec Burks‘ offseason foot surgery.
- The Sixers are considered “by far the favorite” to sign Heat forward P.J. Tucker if he decides to leave Miami. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who signed Tucker in Houston, is reportedly willing to offer a three-year, $30MM contract.
- A deal with the Kings involving Harrison Barnes is among the Hawks‘ “prime options” as they try to work out a John Collins trade, Stein tweets.
Kyrie will be back with KD soon enough, too much money to pass on.
Looking like the HEAT will lose PJ …… can’t blame PJ if Morey offers him 10M/year, it’s effectively his last big payday.
I still think they’ll give him the midlevel, lose Caleb unfortunately, and keep Oladipo with his bird rights and try to get someone either from the draft or in free agency as a minimum guy to give them the extra help at the 4 they need behind PJ
I could maybe see moving Herro or Lowry, but I still doubt that, and I would only include Duncan Robinson in a deal that drastically changes the roster, where they somehow end up with Kawhi, Paul George, or even Kevin Durant, which obviously isnt happening. Beyond them, I see no reason to move him as of now. If the roster looks different in a couple of weeks, maybe that changes though, and I would be more open to moving him
KD or Lebron for Wiggins and a pick ahah its fair now Wiggs is a all-star champ!!
Why do you keep posting this? I already proved that the salaries of those 3 players make that trade illegal.
Kyrie for Russ hahahaha
The Nets should just let Kyrie walk and sign Bradley Beal
They can go over for a Irving they don’t have cap space if he walks to sign anyone not on their roster. They can keep Clayton and go up for Mills.
Comment tells us you know nothing about basketball or the cba
Real question, can’t nets and Wiz agree to a sign and trade where Wiz get Irving in return and Beal signs his max before being traded?
I read that Mavs plan to offer
Mavs get Irving
Nets get Finnie Smith, Dinwiddie and Kleber
Mavs GM Nico Harrison apparently already has a strong relationship with Irving — Nike, with whom Irving has had a signature shoe.
Read where, little bird?
id take that any day of the week as a nets fan
@Sillvan
Awful deal for the Nets. And Nike USE TO have a deal with Kyrie. they dropped him a month ago.
Terrible for the mavs. Getting a self centered ego with terrible work ethic.. And giving up one of the best defenders in the league, one of the most well rounded support players (Maxi) along with Dinwiddie. Hell no. Take that ego centered joke and stick him with the rest of lot in LA or let him rot in bk
Lol if kyrie leaves the Heat are definitely a teM to watch…for Kevin Durant
Kyrie is my favorite player but I’m not liking his moves. No way should he bail on NJ nor KD by going elsewhere. I mean the Nets paid him NOT to play because of his covid stance. KD left GSW because Kyrie wanted to play with him. Sacrifice Kyrie. Buy in, try and run it back with KD.
My condolences to you as a Kyrie fan. Though I’m not sure I would of hung in that long if he were my favorite player.
We’ve seen this movie before from Kyrie. I honestly think he needs professional help- otherwise he’s just an immensely selfish person.
But I am a diehard Celtics fan,obviously he left a bad track here. I personally didn’t want him to begin with. IT was very beloved. Though I know Kyrie is one of the most talented players ever-he just isnt a team first guy. Perhaps he was our Karma for shipping Isaiah out. But onward and upward for us! Your Cavs are looking petty good! My sympathies for any team that does sign Kyrie.
Trade Kyrie and Durant for some picks and try this again with other players that are less psychotic
Nets are stuck with him. The only question is whether they can get him to agree to a contract with a number of games played clause included.