Los Angeles Lakers were able to keep LeBron James in LA for at least two more seasons and now they will look into ways to improve the team around the future Hall of Famer. Kyrie Irving remains their top target, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
Trade negotiations for Irving had supposedly come to a grinding halt due to Brooklyn’s high demands for the guard. At first, the Lakers weren’t willing to give up two first-round picks for the veteran guard.
However, things have changed since then, per Woj (h/t Sportskeeda.com):
“Lakers are still active in trade talks around the league. They have two real assets to put out there to do a significant trade. That’s the ’27 and 2029 first-round picks. If unprotected, you don’t have a lot of value in the marketplace. The Lakers, I’m told, would be willing to do that in a Kyrie Irving trade. But that’s not something the Nets have been interested in.”
Los Angeles would likely send Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker and the 27 and 29 first round picks for Irving in a possible trade package. However, the Nets might believe they can receive more for the All-Star guard from other teams.
Wojnarowski concluded his report by suggesting that the Lakers could be in pursuit of some shooting reinforcement on the inside with size. It remains to be seen if the LA franchise will be able to make a move before the season starts.
The Lakers are willing to give up both first round picks in a Kyrie Irving trade but the Nets aren’t interested pic.twitter.com/juDakVsjZC
— Cody Mallory (@RealCodyMallory) August 18, 2022
