How are the Lakers going to covince the Nets to let Kyrie Irving go?
Though talks between the teams continue, there appears to be an impasse at the moment, with the Nets asking for something that the Lakers don’t have.
If there has been one constant during the NBA offseason, it’s that the Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of chaos. Kevin Durant no doubt is the first name that comes to mind, but then there is also the tricky situation with Kyrie Irving.
The Nets want more than the Lakers have to give
Aside from the situation surrounding Kevin Durant’s highly publicized trade request, the Brooklyn Nets are also dealing with a precarious scenario involving their other major star. With rumors continuing to circulate about a potential trade with the Lakers for point guard Kyrie Irving, it’s basically all anyone can talk about. In terms of what a deal could look like, for quite some time it was assumed that any trade would see under fire PG Russell Westbrook along with the Lakers’ two first round picks (2027 and 2029 go in the opposite direction.
According to reports, however, it now seems that the Lakers want a little more. Not satisfied with simply down payments on the future, the franchise is said to be looking for a player who can make an instantaneous impact. “The Nets’ current stance, sources say, is that they are unwilling to send out Irving in a trade if the deal solely brings back future assets. They apparently want win-now talent in return to part with Irving, despite all of the turmoil that has engulfed the Nets for months,” said NBA analyst March Stein.
How can the Lakers give the Nets what they want?
Regardless of where you stand on Westbrook, his value is not what it was. Can the Nets reasonably be asked to consider a player like Westbrook, as the kind of player they need? That’s a tough sell, which means the Lakers will almost certainly require the help of a third team to get any deal for Irving over the line. Interestingly, reports also indicate that the Nets could in fact soften their stance should the land a big name in exchange for the want-away Durant.
In truth, with the Nets under no obligation to accept a trade for either Durant or Irving, logic would suggest that they have the upper hand. On the other hand, however, the Lakers are under pressure. With star LeBron James having recently put pen to paper on a two-year extension, there is no question that the franchise needs to compliment him with the kind of talent that can contend for a title. Is Irving that guy? If we weigh his relationship with James and his obvious talent as both a secondary playmaker and top tier shooter, then the answer is yes. Yet, that’s not really what matters here. Quite simply, if the Lakers can’t offer the Nets something that they really want, then Kyrie Irving isn’t going anywhere.