It seems as though the Lakers are a real option for Kyrie Irving in free agency, but it comes with a caveat.
On June 20, The Athletic's Shams Charania broke the news that Irving and the Nets are at an "impasse" over his future with the franchise, clearing the way for him to "consider the open marketplace" as a free agent.
Three particular teams Charania mentioned as potential suitors for Irving were the Lakers, Knicks and Clippers.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has since reported that the Lakers are considered the "most significant threat right now" to acquire the seven-time All-Star.
The caveat? Irving would almost certainly have to take a massive pay cut to make it work.
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How could the Lakers acquire Kyrie Irving?
The most obvious way would be a trade or sign-and-trade, but Los Angeles lacks the assets to make it worth Brooklyn's while if LeBron James and Anthony Davis are off the table. Talen Horton-Tucker being the franchise's only mid-tier salary to build a blockbuster trade around is why TSN's Jordan Greer ranked the Lakers as the least likely trade destination for Irving of the three teams Charania mentioned.
That, of course, doesn't matter if Irving is willing to sign with the Lakers for much, much less than the max.
Likely? Maybe not. Possible? It's hard to tell with Irving.
"The Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving, but that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn.
"There's a $6 million taxpayer exemption he could sign with the Lakers with. Now, most people would say a player is not going to give up that much money, but Kyrie Irving gave up nearly $17 million last year because of his refusal to get vaccinated. He lost a significant shoe deal with Nike — or is in the process of losing that shoe deal with Nike.
"I think that the Nets have gone into this with their eyes open that it's possible he can walk. He has done things differently in his career, but I think there's a sweet spot for the Nets and for Kyrie Irving to find a deal. And if they don't, how does that impact Kevin Durant's future with the Nets?
"All of that is at stake this week."
“The Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving” Woj pic.twitter.com/4Vkkl4TmbB
— Laker Central 🎙🎧🎥📝 (@LakerCentral365) June 22, 2022
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Kyrie Irving's current and future contract options
Irving signed a four-year, $141 million contract with the Nets in 2019 that includes a $36.9 million player option for the 2022-23 season. If Irving decides to not pick up that option, he will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, allowing him to sign with any team of his choosing.
That team could still be the Nets, who can offer Irving north of $40 million annually on his next contract.
Here's a breakdown of the five-year max contract Irving is eligible to sign:
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 20, 2022
2022-23: $42.7 million
2023-24: $46.1 million
2024-25: $49.8 million
2025-26: $53.8 million
2026-27: $58.1 million
No sane/smart organization would offer Kyrie anything close to that guaranteed $$ https://t.co/eTASVzrSWd
The problem for Irving is the Nets seem hesitant to make that sort of commitment.
Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News reported on May 24 that Brooklyn is "outright unwilling to give Irving a long-term extension," noting his injury history and decision to not get vaccinated against COVID-19 during the 2021-22 season.
In his report on June 20, Charania wrote that conversations between Irving and the Nets about his future have stagnated, hence the impasse that has led to all of this drama.
