The Los Angeles Lakers looked in the trade market to form a team worthy of competing for the title. So far they acquired Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards and send Kendrick Nunn and 3 second-round picks. It is no secret that the Lakers were inquiring about Kyrie’s availability in the market. However, the idea of reuniting LeBron James with Kyrie Irving is no longer a possibility. As it stands, the Dallas Mavericks have destroyed all hopes for the Lakers this season.
The Lakers fans demanded, the Lakers front office get the deal over the line and reunited the former Cavaliers teammates. However, their hopes of seeing Kyrie play alongside LeBron in the purple and gold are lost. Reports of the Mavs looking to pick up Kyrie from the Nets for a much-needed cast around Luka Doncic linger no more. This is probably the end for Kyrie and LeBron being on the same team again.
The Mavericks are sending a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2029 second round-pick to the Nets, sources @TheAthletic @Stadium. Brooklyn also is sending Markieff Morris to Dallas. https://t.co/EtqlQqQuGq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2023
The Mavericks have acquired Kyrie’s services after the Nets looked for a win-now type of deal to progress with Kevin Durant. For the Mavs to get the deal over the line, they severed ties with Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith. Along with that, they send a 2029 unprotected first-round pick a second-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick. With the Nets sending Markieff Morris and Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks.
The framework for a potential Kyrie Irving trade to the Lakers would send Russell Westbrook, 2027 and 2029 first round picks to the Brooklyn Nets! @KyrieIrving @KingJames @Lakers @BrooklynNets @NBA @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/Lmy8q5Kq97
— J-Luc Glover (@JLucGlover) February 4, 2023
The Lakers potentially offered the Nets Russell Westbrook and 2 first-round picks (2027, 2029). However, the Nets could have benefitted from this deal, but their main objective hit a bump. The Nets want a win-now offer, which the Lakers weren’t able to give in the form of Russell Westbrook. Hence, it is plausible to assume that the Nets are banking on Spencer Dinwiddie’s services to build a title-winning team.
How do the Los Angeles Lakers’ plans look like after the Kyrie Irving trade?
The Los Angeles Lakers signing Kyrie Irving is no longer an option. This means the Lakers will now be looking elsewhere to strengthen their team. The Lakers and the Utah Jazz are said to be in exploratory conversation with each other. But, it is also well known, that the Lakers are in contact with multiple teams. However, the primary focus for the Lakers is to acquire a shooter. They are looking at a possible trade for Bojan Bogdanovic as well.
The Lakers and Jazz reportedly have had “exploratory conversations” involving Russell Westbrook, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/ouYNdWGRbq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 3, 2023
In any trade deal, Russell Westbrook is likely to be heading in the other direction who is not a prominent shooter. The Jazz is interested in Westbrook and both 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. This could see Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, and Jordan Clarkson going the other way. If the Lakers go for them, it could be a good deal, considering LeBron is the only dominant shooter they have.