Kyrie Irving trade: Lakers expected to offer Russell Westbrook package

2023-02-04 06:30

Los Angeles Lakers would include Russell Westbrook and two 1st-round picks in a potential deal to acquire Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving.

Credit: AFP-Scanpix
Credit AFP-Scanpix

Nets star guard Kyrie Irving shook the NBA world when had requested a trade from Brooklyn on Friday.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks have emerged as possible suitors for Irving, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The Athletic's Jovan Buha also reports that the Lakers would trade the Russell Westbrook package to acquire Irving.

"The Lakers have interest in acquiring Irving, according to multiple league sources who were granted anonymity to speak freely on the subject," Buha wrote. "The framework of a potential deal would be Russell Westbrook and the Lakers' 2027 and 2029 first-round picks — with the Lakers pushing to add lottery protection to at least one of them — in exchange for Irving and another Nets role player (likely Joe Harris), according to those sources.

"Depending on how the Nets value the Lakers' picks and what happens with Kevin Durant in the wake of this news, the Lakers could reroute one of their picks to a third team, who would then send additional players to Brooklyn to help the Nets remain competitive."

LeBron James wanted the Lakers to get Irving over the past summer, as The Athletic reported at the time. He even got in touch with the Nets guard.

James seemed to support the Lakers' trading for Irving with a cryptic tweet on Friday night.

In the case of the trade, the 30-year-old Irving would reunite with LeBron. The tandem helped the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA championship.

Irving, a seven-time All-Star, continues to prove that he is still one of the best point guards in the league, averaging 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this season.



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