NBA Rumors: Lakers will have to lose out on star player if they wish to sign Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is one of the biggest names that teams could pursue in the offseason as his contract with the Dallas Mavericks is expiring. One of the teams that's constantly linked to Irving is the Lakers, but signing the 2016 NBA champion could make them lose a valuable role-player in the process.
Irving was traded to the Mavericks during the trade deadline after he opted into the final year of his deal. He wasn't given an extension by the Brooklyn Nets as he was demanding a maximum contract that could've reached $200 million. Now, he's bound to be an unrestricted free agent.
The Lakers have not had consistent production from the point guard position and Uncle Drew's acquisition has been explored multiple times.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst detailed the consequences that Los Angeles could face if they try to pursue Irving this offseason:
"He [Irving] wants to apply pressure to the Dallas Mavericks to give him that contract, and what better way than having the Lakers showing interest in him."
"To do it, they would have to pretty much jettison everybody they just picked up, including Rui Hachimura," said Windhorst. "They’d have to probably waive Malik Beasley. There are sign-and-trade scenarios where if they could get Dallas’ cooperation and maybe sweeten that pot for them, that they could keep more of their roster together."
Report: Lakers would have to lose Rui Hachimura in order to sign Kyrie Irving lakersdaily.com/report-lakers-…
"Kyrie Irving is a possibility. Also, it'll require him maybe to take less than the max, which I'm not sure he's got an appetite to do since he's just asked the trade out of Brooklyn."
Irving played 20 games for the Mavs this season but his production wasn't enough to help franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic and the team to make it to the postseason. The eight-time All-Star averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists for Dallas.
You might also be interested in reading this: "Kyrie showing love to the GOAT"- Lakers fans are buzzing as Kyrie Irving is seen in attendance for Game 6
Kyrie Irving had a handshake deal with the Nets prior to the trade
No one is quite certain as to where Irving will end up in the 2023-24 NBA season. With an expiring deal, the veteran star could still command a maximum deal as the offseason approaches.
An NBA Insider recently revealed that the star guard and the Nets informally agreed on a maximum contract extension before the trade mid-season happened:
"I hear they had a handshake deal before the trade [with the Brooklyn Nets]," one source said. "And Kyrie wouldn't have said yes to anything less than the max."
Kyrie Irving and Mavericks reportedly had a “handshake” deal estimated around $200M prior to Brooklyn sending him to Dallas.
(via @EricPincus, bleacherreport.com/articles/10076…) https://t.co/bkkTzqwt1o
Despite his several off-court issues, Irving is expected to have a good number of suitors with great contract offers.
Also read: Kevin Durant hesitates to address Kyrie Irving & James Harden trade: "You got to ask them, to be honest"