Could Kyrie Irving end up with LeBron James again?
The biggest question in free agency is whether Kyrie Irving will respond to LeBron James’ offer and join the Los Angeles Lakers, but it’s unlikely.
The most likely way the Lakers could acquire Kyrie Irving is through a sign-and-trade. The Lakers, who have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have already announced their intention to re-sign Austin Reeves and Rui Hachimura.
In order to directly acquire free agent Kyrie Irving, who has about $30 million in salary cap space but made more than that last season, the Lakers would need him to take a pay cut and be subject to the mid-level exception clause. However, based on Irving’s behavior thus far, that’s not likely to happen.
Therefore, the most likely way for Kyrie Irving to join the Lakers is to sign a contract with Dallas and then sign-and-trade.
However, the Lakers don’t have a lot of cards to play with the Mavs in order to acquire Irving. D’Angelo Russell is reportedly the most likely sign-and-trade target for Kyrie Irving, but Dallas is reportedly not interested in the deal 안전놀이터.
“Dallas intends to re-sign Kyrie Irving and would not be interested in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers centered around D’Angelo Russell, according to league sources,” Mark Stein wrote in his newsletter.
“While questions remain about the Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving combination, they are still a championship-caliber unit, and Dallas has no replacement for Kyrie Irving,” NBC Sports analyzed. He also pointed out that Kyrie Irving’s desire for more money and the overall situation make a move to the Lakers very unlikely.
However, he left the door open: “If LeBron wants it, and Irving wants it, nothing is impossible.