Kyrie Irving has taken center stage in NBA circles as he is set to become a free agent this off-season. It is widely rumored that the 2016 NBA champion might join the Los Angeles Lakers. Given the numerous uncertainties that loom over LA after the Nuggets swept them, they will surely have to bring in a veteran like Irving for a promising future. However, it won’t be a cakewalk for the Lakers’ front office to reunite Kyrie Irving and LeBron James in LA.
When Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, he had bid for a $198 million four-year contract extension. The Maverick’s owner, Mark Cuban, had agreed to Irving’s bid. Apparently, Irving will be an expensive buy if the Lakers are eyeing a chance to pair him with LeBron again.
LA has to overcome some hurdles to pair Kyrie Irving with LeBron James
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Lakers centerpiece LeBron James and Kyrie Irving go back a long way. While LeBron led Cleveland to their one and only title win in 2016, he had rigid backing from Kyrie Irving. Besides, it was Kyrie Irving’s immortal shot that became the last nail in the GSW’s coffin during the final faceoff. As Lakers are now in dire straits and James might contemplate retirement this offseason, the addition of Irving might give LA a breathing space. However, signing Irving comes with many perks.
Kyrie Irving has been playing the role of a mercenary in the NBA. Besides, the 8x-NBA All-Star has sparked up quite a lot of controversies during his otherwise illustrious NBA stint. Apparently, many franchises are not ready to welcome Irving and the chaos that can come with him. If the Lakers are eyeing to sign Irving, they have to not only overcome this chaos but also have to pay a higher price. LA will have to come up with a proper sign-and-trade package with the Dallas Mavericks. “Mark Cuban will be in no mood to help a conference rival, particularly?that conference rival, the price might hurt,” a report on The Athletic said.
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Kyrie Irving had a message for fans amid the free agency frenzy
Though the hoops world is yet to find out who will compete with Denver for the ultimate prize, Kyrie Irving trade rumors have been going in full momentum. Irving, however, seems to not enjoy the discourses around his free agency. Irving did a live on Instagram requesting fans to leave him out of the free agency talks. Besides, he stressed that he won’t take any rushed decision.
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Irving detested the fact that his free agency is the talk of the town, while the Eastern Conference Finals are yet to conclude. Anyhow, Kyrie Irving will continue to be in the center stage until he signs for a side. Irving or not, the Lakers have extreme pressure to make futuristic moves for the sake of both the franchise and superstar LeBron James.
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