Exclusive: "Nets wanted 2 first-round picks, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis" - NBA insider on speculated Kyrie Irving trade to Lakers, calls it a "manufactured idea"
The Brooklyn Nets reportedly wanted two first-round picks, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis in exchange for Kyrie Irving.
Speaking to Jeff Skversky on Sportskeeda's exclusive podcast Inside The Huddle, Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson shed light on the situation:
"The Lakers was more of a manufactured idea from an organizational perspective. With Kyrie, in order to make that work from a Nets organizational perspective, Nets wanted two first-round picks, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis and the Lakers didn't want to give up Anthony Davis in that scenario."
Robinson added:
"If Kyrie had opted out, which he didn't, he would've had to get the $6 million mid-level exception, and he's given up $14 million last year, so he opted into kinda, as the great DJ Khaled would say 'secure the bag.'
"In doing so, in order to make those contracts work, you would have to move both Russell Westbrook, who's on the books to make $47 million next season because he opted in. But Anthony Davis and two first-round picks would have to be a part of it."
Kyrie Irving wants to be a Net — with or without Kevin Durant #Nets nypost.com/2022/07/12/kyr… via @nypostsports
You can watch the full segment with "Scoop B" Robinson here:
LA Lakers have backup plan if they fail to acquire Kyrie Irving
The LA Lakers have been adamant about keeping Anthony Davis. He remains a core component of the Lakers setup. Davis is one of the top two-way players in the NBA, meaning it's almost impossible to replace him.
The Lakers would struggle to surround LeBron James and Kyrie Irving with the talent required if the speculated deal featuring Russell Westbrook and Davis went through.
REPORT: Rob Pelinka will have the chance to speak with Sean Marks at the Las Vegas Summer League and discuss if they can get a deal done for Kyrie Irving.
If they can’t, the Lakers may need to pivot to acquiring shooters like Eric Gordon & Buddy Hield.
(via @mcten) https://t.co/24XSaB9KR7
The LA Lakers have continued to explore trades for Russell Westbrook. According to reports, they have identified Indiana Pacers duo Buddy Hield and Myles Turner and Rockets' veteran guard Eric Gordon as potential targets. They could pursue the trio should they fail to land Kyrie Irving.
REPORT: The Lakers have spoken with the Rockets & Pacers about a trade for Eric Gordon/Buddy Hield.
(via @wojespn) https://t.co/hnxfDuJM8t
The Lakers desperately need to add impact players around LeBron James and Anthony Davis to stay competitive in the stacked Western Conference. The Russell Westbrook experiment failed miserably, and it would be a huge gamble if the Lakers continue with him next season.
With only one year left on James' deal, the Lakers' window of contention grows ever smaller.