For the Los Angeles Lakers to sign Kyrie Irving this summer, general manager Rob Pelinka will have to shed a lot of salary. ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who used to be an NBA executive, talked about the bevy of moves the Lakers would need to complete this offseason to create cap space for Irving, who becomes an unrestricted free agent.
“The Lakers could create up to $30.5 million by waiving Jarred Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba, not exercising Malik Beasley’s team option and renouncing free agents D’Angelo Russell, Lonnie Walker IV and Rui Hachimura,” Marks wrote. “The cap space would increase to $35 million if they trade Max Christie and their first-round pick.
“However, the starting number on Irving’s max salary is $47 million. In the scenario that the Lakers do utilize their $30.5 million in room, the resources to build the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis include restricted free agent Austin Reaves, Christie, the $7.6 million room exception and two draft picks. The rest of the roster would be filled out with players signed to the veteran minimum exception, leaving the Lakers’ depth vulnerable.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers would have one of the best Big Threes in the NBA if they signed Irving to pair him next to James and Davis. However, as Marks said, the purple and gold wouldn’t have good depth around their three superstars if that route was taken.
Los Angeles lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals in four games. James told Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and Dave McMenamin of ESPN after Game 4 that he might retire from the NBA this summer. If that happens, the Lakers may rebuild around Davis or trade AD and tank.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
It will be interesting to see what James and Irving do this summer. If LeBron doesn’t retire, multiple sources have told NBA Analysis Network that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer wants the Lakers to get Irving.
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