Kyrie Irving trade rumors: Lakers, Nets actively discussing deal involving Russell Westbrook, per report

Other pieces would have to be involved, but the deal would be centered around an Irving for Westbrook swap.
The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are making progress on a trade that would swap Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook, according to Chris Haynes. Other pieces would have to be involved, but there is “palpable optimism” that the two sides can figure out a deal this summer.

Irving recently opted into the final year of his deal worth $36.4 million but is expected to be traded after his star teammate Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Nets. “If Kevin Durant is on the first train out, Kyrie Irving will be on the caboose as far as the Nets are concerned,” Brian Windhorst reported earlier this week.

Coming off a season in which he played just 29 games because he refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and given his previous injury history — Irving hasn’t played 70 games in a season since 2017 when he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers — the market for the mercurial guard is understandably not as robust as the one for Durant.

The Lakers, though, have very little to lose. Irving represents their best chance to add talent this summer, and he has a previous relationship with LeBron James. Both players will be hitting free agency next season, and the Lakers are trying to squeeze one more title out of the LeBron and Anthony Davis pairing. Irving has his fair share of negatives, but on the court he would be a much better fit than Westbrook, and would greatly increase the Lakers’ title odds.

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