Many around the league believe Kyrie Irving‘s preferred landing spot is the Lakers, according to reports from Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports and Marc Stein at Substack, among others.
Count Lakers legend Magic Johnson, formerly the team’s president of basketball operations, as a supporter of acquiring Irving.
“Personally, I’d love to see Kyrie in the purple and gold,” he said (via Twitter).
Irving, of course, won a championship with LeBron James while the two were on the Cavaliers in 2015/16. James also acknowledged Irving’s trade request, cryptically tweeting out an eye emoji and a crown.
However, the Nets are expected to be a buyer at the deadline, which could complicate matters, Stein notes. It’s hard to imagine getting equal value for Irving considering the market for him is reportedly pretty thin.
The Lakers do indeed have interest in Irving, sources tell Jovan Buha of The Athletic. The likely framework would be Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks in exchange for Irving and Joe Harris, per Buha’s sources.
L.A. would push to lottery-protect at least one of those picks, according to Buha, who suggests a third team might have to be involved, depending on Brooklyn’s goals. The Lakers don’t have interest in trading Austin Reaves or Max Christie in a potential Irving package, sources tell Buha.
Interestingly, Lonnie Walker and Patrick Beverley could be involved in an Irving deal or in another trade in order to upgrade the rotation, Buha reports. Beverley’s inclusion is no surprise, but this is the first time this season I’ve seen Walker’s name involved in trade rumors.
Here are more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Lakers have reportedly had preliminary talks with the Jazz regarding Westbrook, but they remain interested in Hornets guard Terry Rozier, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
- Executives with knowledge of Dallas’ plans tell Goodwill that the Mavericks would definitely take Irving, the question is at what cost. Head coach Jason Kidd is a proponent of acquiring the star point guard, according to Fischer’s sources. Dallas has “confidence in Kidd’s coaching ability to connect with Irving,” Stein writes.
- There isn’t universal agreement within the Mavericks‘ organization about adding Irving, however. Some front office members have concerns about Irving’s long-term fit with Luka Doncic, according to sources Tim Cato of The Athletic spoke to. The concern is centered on how they’d mesh in the locker room, as they have “drastically different off-court personas.”
- According to Stein, the Nets are believed to be interested Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith in a potential Irving deal, but the Mavericks “would surely insist” on trying to shed the contract of either Tim Hardaway Jr. or Davis Bertans. Dinwiddie played for the Nets from 2016-2021, so they’re very familiar with him as a person and player.
- The Mavericks are also interested in Hawks swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic, as “they’re desperate and determined” to get help for Doncic, says Goodwill.
Beal for Kyrie?
Nets also adds 1st round picks?
As a Nets fan I would be very happy with that. I would be surprised if it was possible though
Mavs can easily outbid Lakers offer.
Mavs have first round picks every year from 2024-2029
Players: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, Christian Wood, Tim Hardaway Jr.
Nets are not thinking about 2027 and 2029 picks
Nets don’t want Westbrook
Lakers need to look for third team ASAP. Jazz is not a good option for Lakers because Jazz want Lakers unprotected picks
You obviously dont know anything about the Mavs. They dont have access to their 2024-2026 picks as the 2023 pick needs to convey first. Do your research before letting your hands do the typing.
Tbf it’s pretty easy to throw ny a couple seconds to lift the protection…
Classic – – you want readers who want to comment to do research before commenting so that it meets your “standards.” Someone (Tantan) needs to grow up and get a life.
Mark from Cuba is too cheap for Kyrie…
Mavs can trade only 2027 and 2029 first picks because 2023 pick goes to NYK top 10 protected ( Porzingis trade)
Considering how often you post trade ideas you have an amazingly low grasp on the rules surrounding trades or what is happening in the league….
But nobody wants to go to the Mavs LOL
If I’m the lakers I’m being very active in trade talks and not committing until I get the best deal. But I’m making a deal before the deadline.
I know all eyes are on Kyrie, he’s requested out, he’s played with Bron etc etc but I’d actually be having some secret back door talks with the Bulls about sending AD to his home town. Yes he’s been terrific at times currently averaging 27-12-3 but he’s too often injured, and soon going to need a new deal and you can’t commit long term big money to that guy.
AD, Pat Bev, Max Christie and a first for DeRozan, Pat Will and Vuce
Lakers line up
Schroder DeRozan Bron Pat Will Vuce
Russ Walker Brown Hachimura Bryant
Really like the look of this team. DeRozan I think would be a great fit with Bron yes he’s not a shooter but you have Vuce, Pat Will and Schroder who can all shoot. The paint will be open and that’s when both guys can attack and drive. Vuce would be perfect as a third scoring option and Russ off the bench aswell for the impact.
If it doesn’t work out you have Russ’s 50 mil expiring deal, Vuce’s 22mil expiring deal and the rest of the team basically off contract besides Bron and DeRozan. Could easily see Draymond opting out and linking up especially considering he’s Klutch client also. That means you don’t need to pay Rui, bring back Vuce, let Russ walk and still have money to spend on building out a bench. I’d go for a catch and shoot player like Seth Curry, a 3 and D guy like TRoss (also Klutch client) and then a back up big Tristan Thompson (also Klutch).
If not all that then yeah go for Kyrie but also know he comes with a huge risk in terms of needing a new deal and that commitment. Getting it wrong with Kyrie and AD could be screwing up the franchise for the next 5+ years. Getting it right means maybe you can contender better next season but even after that Bron could opt out and leave to play with his son.
You talking crazy. Anthony Davis is a superstar and two way player. Yea he’s an injury prone but it’s proven you can win a championship with him healthy. I love me some DeMar DeRozan but he’s not a good defensive player and Nikola Vucevic isn’t a good defensive player either. You can’t win in the NBA like that.
You keep Anthony Davis with LeBron James and you go get Kyrie Irving.
I know you taking a major chance but Kyrie Irving said he regrets leaving LeBron James when they was on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Then on top of that his idol was Kobe Bryant. I honestly feel like if the Los Angeles Lakers get Kyrie Irving he will be on his best behavior. He’s going to want to win in purple and gold. Winning cures a lot. LeBron James Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving healthy together come playoff time will win championships.
A trade for Kyrie Irving will extend LeBron James career. He won’t have to do nearly as much come playoff time and the rest of his career. LeBron James will still get 25 PPG but he won’t have to average 30 PPG. Then on top of that Kyrie Irving is a certified closer.
Or more realistically, Kyrie gets a 5 year max and continues to cause issues and distractions when not on the court. Yes you win a lot more games when all three play but how often is that going to be. Then AD and Bron both hit FA the following year. AD gets a 5 year max and I’m not surprised if Bron leaves to play with his son or chase rings.
Even if he doesn’t or he retires your going to have 5 years committed to both Kyrie and AD the two most unreliable superstars in the league. Yes when they are on the court they will win games but odds are that more often than not they won’t all be fit at once.
Let’s just look back over the previous seasons.
Bron AD and Kyrie all three haven’t played over 60 games the previous 3 seasons. Bron is 38 so that number and the minutes will continue to reduce. AD including this season has missed over half the games available for the past 3 years.
As for the Kobe, purple and gold talk. Whatever you say about Kyrie you can say about DeRozan. Yes I agree that Kyrie Bron AD would be their best chance at a title this season and maybe next but aside from that no thank you. No way I make that commitment to them. I’d bank on a window of 2/3 years and hence go for DeRozan, Vuce, Pat Will and then trying to add Draymond in FA. Not max deals, no long contracts.
If anything the nba has proven super teams aren’t the want to go anymore. Look at Brooklyn, the lakers right now, look at the Celtics when they had Kyrie. You don’t need 3 superstars. It’s more about a top tier player, a side kick all star and then really good depth and role players.
Bron (top tier), DeRozan (all star), Draymond and Vuce really good role players and then depth with guys like Pat Will, Schroder, etc
The story line above for lakers is crazy. You can’t trade another max contract to Brooklyn. It’s not allowed. Spurs need to be involved because they have space to take Russ and aren’t going anywhere. In fact they are under the floor and will need to burn $14M or give it away to current players. Russ and Jones to Spurs. Richardson and Walker to Brooklyn. Kyrie, Curry, McDermott, Collins to Lakers. 1st and 2nd from lakers to Spurs and same to Brooklyn. Lakers trade PBev to Detroit for Burke.
Starters. Kyrie, Reeves, Rui, LBJ, Davis
2nd unit. Curry, Burks, McDermott, Bryant, Collins.
PBev and 2nd round…
PBev and *two* 2nd rounders please, and even then, meh
Another person who doesn’t understand trade rules. Lol at Brooklyn can’t trade for another max. Try rookie scale max extension, which is a very specific contract that few players actually have.
I thought the Pacers were Interested In OG ? And Possibly Moving Some Other Player’s.
I would not trade for Irving. Guy is a complete wild card especially if you pay him. The on court fit with Dallas looks good on paper but it feels like Rondo all over again.
No mention that that trade would put Westbrook and Durant back together again? LoL! That would be the best part of that trade. Watching that train wreck for half a season.
Best scenario is Lillard for Irving, Curry, picks and swaps.
Lillard gets chance to compete and Blazers get a younger and cheaper star.
Kyrie would fit perfectly in the city of portland
The Lakers are proving to be a trash organization for even considering Kyrie. I was done with LeBron after he sided with Lanez over Meg Stallion. This is further proof that LeBron is also trash. Kyrie’s latest “episode” was significant and highly divisive.
The NBA front office wants this because they are trying to push the Lakers and LeBron down our throats again.
Weak
LAL: Kylie
BKN: Poeltl, Richardson, McDermott
SAS: Brick + 27LAL + 28LAL swap + 29LAL
McDermott just a bad contract to add, they already have harris and curry.
Los Angeles Lakers definitely need to make the trade to get Kyrie Irving. I think Rob Pelinka will need to find a third team to execute the trade with the Brooklyn Nets. I think they will try to get the Utah Jazz or San Antonio Spurs involved because I don’t see the Nets wanting to take Russell Westbrook back. Brooklyn Nets are 4th in the Eastern Conference so they not going to want and back it in.
I would love to see this Lakers deal only to watch LeBron fail yet again.. Irving will cry and complain about whatever and next day not wanting to play for two weeks.. if I’m the Nets I insist Max Christie be included as the headliner along with the two firsts. You can get Detroit involved and sending Burks to the LAL and Hayes or Bey maybe both to the Nets with Russ going to Detroit.
What complicates matters with Kyrie Irving is that he’s a rental. Who would actually trade assets for him?
The only team willing to do so would be the team that knows they can resign him this summer, and that’s the Los Angeles Lakers. Perhaps a three-team or 4 team thing to satisfy Brooklyn but it’s the Lakers or no one.
The only other slight possible destination I can see is if the Miami Heat decides they need a shot in the arm. Kyle Lowry out Kyrie Irving in. But again it’s a rental and risky.
Trading Walker is key to next years roster. They will be in the same situation as they were with Monk.