NBA Rumors: Exploring whether Kyrie Irving will seriously consider signing with the Los Angeles Lakers during free agency
Heading into the summer, there might not be more pressure for a team than there is on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Coming off a season in which they largely underwhelmed, and were decimated by injuries, the Lakers will be in the market for reinforcements to surround LeBron James with. The fact that the LeBron-led Lakers didn’t qualify for the playoffs this season is absolutely not acceptable.
And that’s not exactly all that surprising. I think most would agree with that assessment. The problem is that fixing the roster issues with the Lakers is easier said than done. And it involves landing a top player, a superstar even.
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While there will be many for the Lakers to pick from come the off-season, it’s not exactly like many of them are reportedly lining up to sign with Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard has largely been connected to the Clippers, not the Lakers. There’s a lot of smoke surrounding Kevin Durant to the Knicks. Jimmy Butler probably isn’t leaving the Sixers, and the same could be said about Klay Thompson and the Warriors.
The only player that has made it public that he wants to play for the Lakers is Anthony Davis, but he’s still under contract this season with the Pelicans and even if New Orleans does trade him they’ve made it clear that it won’t be to Los Angeles. Simply put, the Lakers are not in a great spot.
However, it is interesting that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has hinted at the idea that the Lakers could have an outside chance at signing Kyrie Irving. In addition to KD ended up in New York, there is some smoke around Kyrie potentially finding his way there too.
He could still re-sign with the Celtics, too. Although, the fact that Kyrie could give the Lakers a meeting is certainly good news.
SAS makes it clear that he’s not saying that Kyrie is – or even could – sign with the Lakers, if he gets in a room with LeBron James and Magic Johnson, you have to like those chances if you’re Los Angeles.
If the Lakers are going to make any noise next season in the Western Conference – especially if the Warriors core three sticks together – they’re going to have to add some serious talent this summer. Equipped with a top 10 pick and salary cap room, there will be rooms to make for the Lakers.
Question is, could they steal the deal – something that this franchise has had trouble to do over the past decade when it comes to free agency.