The Los Angeles Lakers are one of four NBA teams heavily in the mix to acquire Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving before the NBA trade deadline, with LeBron James encouraging the franchise to pull off a deal by Feb. 9.
Irving requested a trade on Thursday, seeking to be moved after contract talks with the Nets didn’t progress. The 30-year-old point guard sat out Saturday’s victory over the Washington Wizards and isn’t expected to play in the final two games before the trade deadline.
- Kyrie Irving contract: $36.934 million salary
Brooklyn is actively engaged in negotiations with multiple clubs including the Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Pheonix Suns. While it was originally viewed as a three-team race, the Los Angeles Clippers became a late entry with the franchise seeking to address its existing need at point guard.
Related: Ideal Kyrie Irving trade landing spots
The Nets’ options are a bit limited heading into the final days before the deadline. Irving, an unrestricted free agent, would be a half-season rental unless a team is willing to meet his contract demands. Brooklyn’s desire to add championship-caliber talent is also reducing its options as it fields offers from other NBA Finals contenders.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are operating as a ‘motivated suitor’ for Irving, with James a strong proponent of paying the Nets’ asking price to acquire the All-Star point guard by Thursday.
Related: Los Angeles Lakers face two hurdles preventing Kyrie Irving acquisition
The Lakers have held onto their top trade assets, unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029, putting them in a position to pursue the first star that became available. Los Angeles could also include Russell Westbrook’s contract in a deal, but the Nets would be required to include additional players for salaries to match.
- Kyrie Irving stats (2022-’23): 27.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.1 RPG, 48.6% FG, 37.4% 3PT
However, Brooklyn isn’t interested in pairing Westbrook with Ben Simmons as it seeks to contend in the Eastern Conference. Furthermore, unprotected firsts in 2027 and 2029 aren’t appealing to a front office that is trying to convince Kevin Durant not to request a trade this summer.
Related: Los Angeles Clippers ‘joined the pursuit’ for Kyrie Irving trade
It’s a primary reason why the Suns are viewed as the early favorite to acquire Irving. Already in the market for a point guard, amid some concerns with Chris Paul, Phoenix boasts the assets to entice Brooklyn months after the two sides discussed a trade for Durant in the summer.
While the Lakers face an uphill battle to acquire Irving, pressure from James and the possibility of missing the NBA playoffs for the second consecutive year could push the franchise to make a deal. Any trade would further deplete the franchise’s long-term outlook, but an organization dedicated to making James happy will want to go all-in for a championship.
