The NBA rumor mill has been full of potential trade ideas for the Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving. Kai, who has opted into his $37 million player option, is yet to officially demand a trade, but most believed he would do so since Kevin Durant requested a trade.
The most discussed destination for Kyrie Irving has been none other than the Los Angeles Lakers. It all started when Irving was at an impasse with the Nets regarding a new contract. The Purple and Gold tried to get Kyrie with a sign-and-trade offer around Russell Westbrook, but the Nets rejected.
Since then, the Lakers and the Nets have been going back and forth in hopes of finding a trade that helps both teams. Following the failed sign-and-trade attempt, it was reported that the Lakers tried again by including a first-round pick with Westbrook in the trade package.
Lakers are currently negotiating a trade for Kyrie Irving involving “Russell Westbrook, a first-round pick and a pick swap with maybe another player involved, maybe Joe Harris.”
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“Lakers are currently negotiating a trade for Kyrie Irving involving ‘Russell Westbrook, a first-round pick and a pick swap with maybe another player involved, maybe Joe Harris.’”
As you might have guessed, this trade wasn’t suitable for the Nets. So the organization decided to provide a counteroffer for the trade. They wanted Russell Westbrook, and two first-round draft picks in exchange for giving up Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris.
Via NetsDaily:
According to other reports, the Nets are willing to deal Irving to L.A. — his preferred landing spot — as long as it doesn’t add to Brooklyn’s financial commitments next season. A deal that included Harris would decrease the Nets’ payroll by roughly $8 million.
Of course, including Harris, a fan favorite and the Net with the most time in black-and-white, would indicate the Nets are in a deep rebuild, cutting salary — and luxury taxes — while also building up its stock of draft picks. The Nets have made it clear that any package for Kevin Durant would have to include multiple picks.
To be honest, considering the giant Russell Westbrook contract, the Lakers should have accepted this offer. Instead, they decided to counter it and offer Russ, Talen Horton Tucker, and a first-round pick for Kyrie Irving and Seth Curry.
Via Yahoo Sports:
Draft compensation is an ongoing talking point for the Nets and they want shooting guard Joe Harris — who is recovering from left ankle surgery — and his remaining $38.6 million owed over the next two years included in the deal, sources said.
The Lakers have been disinclined to the inclusion of Harris, and are instead seeking the insertion of sharpshooter Seth Curry as part of the arrangement, sources said.
Curry is on an expiring $8.5 million deal.
The Nets maintain discussions have only been preliminary at this point, sources said.
But this offer did more harm than good to the Lakers. The Nets then decided to counter the Lakers’ offer with a demand of Russell Westbrook and two first-round picks in exchange for Kyrie.
Via HoopsHype:
Currently, the Lakers don’t want to give up multiple first-round picks to trade Russell Westbrook, league sources told HoopsHype. In the speculated blockbuster trade of Westbrook and Irving, the Nets would likely want a first-round pick to move Irving and take on Westbrook. The Nets would likely want an additional first-rounder to entice another team like the Spurs or Pacers to take Westbrook as the third team in a deal.
This report ultimately proved that the Lakers want to trade for Irving by offering Russ and just one first-round draft pick.
After all, Kyrie is on an expiring contract. On top of that, their current superstar, LeBron James, is yet to extend his contract as well. This could spell trouble for the Lakers if they fail to win a ring this season.
They will not only lose two superstars, but it could also entice Anthony Davis to demand a trade. The end result would be the Lakers entering a rebuilding phase with little to no draft picks to do so.
