The NBA offseason is in full swing, and with each passing day, fresh speculations regarding players flood the online world. The Kyrie Irving-Brooklyn Nets saga is one such story that has been making the rounds for quite some time. And we might have another twist looming upon us.
Irving recently announced his decision to opt into the last year of his Nets deal, which would fetch him $36.5 million. However, recent sources indicate that his future with the Nets remains uncertain. NBA insider Brian Windhorst said that a potential Kyrie Irving for Russell Westbrook trade is something that could materialize.
Brian Windhorst thinks a potential Kyrie Irving for Russell Westbrook trade is something Brooklyn could revisit down the line 👀
(h/t @AhnFireDigital ) pic.twitter.com/AKxA2vm8Jg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 29, 2022
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He feels the Brooklyn Nets will take that into consideration if they don’t come to a place with Irving where things will improve. He said that in such a scenario, the Lakers would be willing to send Russell Westbrook along with draft compensation to the other side. The latter though, is something that would be “negotiable”, he added.
Kyrie Irving, after months of speculations regarding his Nets future catching flames, splashed cold water on them by opting into his final year. Reportedly, the dazzling guard even presented the Brooklyn Nets with a list of teams to whom he would be willing to relocate through a sign-and-trade. The Lakers, though, were the only franchise to indicate mutual interest in Irving.
"High-ranking people" believe Kyrie to the Lakers is not off the table after heavy mutual interest, per @WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/KjsZhChBFY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2022
However, the Lakers could only have secured Irving’s signature with a mid-level exception worth roughly $6.4 million. The point guard, though, opted not to pass up the significant sum of money offered by the Brooklyn Nets. His decision now forces the Lakers to explore other options to add his talents to the Lake Show.
Any potential trade that sends Kyrie Irving to the Lakers would almost certainly involve Westbrook
Ever since Darvin Ham took over the helm in LA, talks about Russell Westbrook sticking around the town have surfaced. The Lakers failed to utilize Brodie to his strengths last season. However, the new coach showed trust in his star. He believes that there is no way a trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Westbrook won’t flourish.
It’s a fact, however, that if a mouth-watering offer arrives for Westbrook, the franchise won’t shy away from shipping him. And a Westbrook for Irving trade idea is something that would tempt the Lakers’ front office. Not only would this be tactically sound for them, but it will also reunite Irving with his long-lost companion, LeBron James.
READ MORE: LeBron James Reportedly Considering Sensational Return to His Former NBA Franchise
The idea of Irving donning a Lakers jersey is intriguing, but it is only possible if Westbrook is shipped to the other side. To make the salaries work, Westbrook will have to be part of the deal that brings Irving to LA.
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Russell Westbrook will exercise his $47.1M player option to return to the Lakers next season, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/SjIivou9mq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 28, 2022
Interestingly, this trade will help in the materialization of another reunion, as Russ will once again join forces with Kevin Durant. According to reports, however, neither Durant nor Westbrook nor even the Nets are interested in any reunion.
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What lies ahead in this bizarre saga? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.