NBA Rumors: According to a recent report, Kyrie Irving may be willing to take a massive pay cut to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
For the past few days, the biggest story in the NBA is the troubled dynamic between Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets. And it seems that with every passing minute, the situation is just getting worse and worse.
Earlier today it was reported that the Nets are allowing Kyrie to seek sign-and-trade deals. Now it’s being reported that Kyrie may be willing to opt out of the final contract with the Nets and take a massive pay cut to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers (or a team that he prefers to be with).
Sources with knowledge of the situation have increasingly believed Kyrie Irving's willingness to opt out of Brooklyn, sign the $6M taxpayer midlevel with the Lakers, where Irving can re-sign long-term in 2023.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 27, 2022
More on @getcallin with @BigWos at 7:30ET: https://t.co/Qyn7Obfi2P
This is certainly a huge revelation. If Kyrie is willing to leave the Nets and take such a massive pay cut, it takes away all leverage Brooklyn thought they had – especially when it comes to a potential return for any trade.
It’s certainly a curveball and would change the entire dynamic of what awaits the Nets when free agency opens in a few days. It sure seems like Kyrie fully intends on trying to get to one of the teams that he prefers to be with – even if that means him taking a massive pay cut.
For the Lakers, this is super news. Entering an offseason in which they didn’t have much, if any, wiggle room, they are now considered to be in the driver’s seat to land Kyrie.
And if they are able to do so without parting ways with no significant pieces, this move alone could vault the Lakers back into the title picture next season. Even more so if Kyrie comes in with a chip on his shoulder.
This is just the start of the craziness that can ensue this offseason. Buckle up. Kyrie has completely hijacked the offseason.