This offseason, Kyrie Irving is expected to be one of the NBA’s biggest names on the free agent market. Following a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks, the All-Star guard will be free to sign wherever he chooses.
While the Brooklyn Nets were exploring their options at the trade deadline, the LA Lakers were a common team mentioned. LeBron James was urging the front office to make a move, and the two stars have a storied history together. During their time together in Cleveland, they managed to deliver the Cavaliers their first championship in franchise history.
As Irving’s free agency gets closer, the Lakers are once again being connected to him. However, based on the latest reporting, it seems that their interest has faded.
In a recent story for The Athletic provided a breakdown for the Mavericks’ offseason. It was there he cited that the Lakers are no longer in the running of teams trying to land Irving.
“Of course, there’s nothing notable about an out-of-season basketball player attending a basketball game in the city known as this league’s summer home. And no matter how close Irving might be to James, the Lakers are uninterested in pursuing him in free agency, say league sources, who like all unnamed sources in this article were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Of course, there’s nothing notable about an out-of-season basketball player attending a basketball game in the city known as this league’s summer home. And no matter how close Irving might be to James, the Lakers are disinterested in pursuing him in free agency, say league sources.
After the flurry of moves the Lakers made at the deadline, they are better off following their current model. Signing Irving this summer would mean once again sacrificing depth to try and put a third star around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
When the Lakers won the title in 2020, it was because they had a supporting cast filled with complementing pieces. With that in mind, it is how they should continue building their roster as opposed to being in the hunt for stars. Since moving off from Russell Westbrook, the Lakers have been able to have this structure again, and it’s paying off nicely.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
