Kyrie Irving to the Lakers? How Kevin Durant's trade request impacts Nets star

It appears as though Kevin Durant has played his last game with the Nets.

Has Kyrie Irving as well?

While Irving picked up his $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season to return to the Nets, Durant sent the NBA into a tailspin ahead of free agency with news breaking that he has requested a trade.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Irving and Durant had no contact with the franchise after Irving picked up his player option earlier in the week.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had no contact with the franchise after Irving opted into his deal on Monday, and a sense of inevitability existed that Durant would eventually ask for a trade, sources tell ESPN. It happened today.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

While teams line up to make their best offer for Durant, what does his trade request mean for Irving?

Let's take a closer look.

MORE: Suns, Heat, Raptors headline best landing spots for Durant

How Kevin Durant's trade request impacts Kyrie Irving

The short version: Brooklyn is fully open for business.

After news broke of Durant's trade request, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the "entire roster" will be available in discussions as the Nets look for a "historic return."

One would assume that means Irving is or will be available.

As the Nets prepare to move one of the most valuable trade assets ever on the market, the entire roster will available to discuss in deals, sources tell ESPN. Teams have been calling on Durant, and the Nets will certainly look for a historic return on players and draft picks.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

One team in particular that continues to be linked to Irving is the Lakers.

Before Irving picked up his player option, the Lakers were one of six teams reportedly on his wish list in a sign-and-trade. According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, Durant requesting a trade makes the possibility of the Lakers landing Irving "realistic again." 

It sounds as though there's mutual interest between Irving and LeBron James to reunite.

From Fischer:

Despite Irving’s recommitment to Brooklyn, league sources continued to whisper about Irving's mutual desire to reunite with LeBron James in Los Angeles this week. For that to happen anytime soon, the Lakers would likely need to find a third or even fourth team that would be willing to absorb Russell Westbrook's $47.1 million salary and still find players to compensate Brooklyn for Irving.

In other words, Irving to the Lakers remains incredibly complicated, especially now that taking the taxpayer exemption is off the table.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported that Irving is telling everyone that he plans to go to the Lakers, so if it doesn't happen this season, it sounds like his plan is to join them as a free agent next offseason.

Kyrie Irving contract details

Irving opted into the final year of his four-year, $136 million dollar contract signed with the Nets prior to the 2019-20 season. He is slated to make $36.5 million this upcoming season, making him the NBA's 17th-highest paid player for 2022-23 prior to the start of free agency.

Lakers roster

So what exactly do the Lakers have to offer? Well... not much.

Due to previous trades and a rule that teams cannot trade back-to-back first-round picks, the Lakers can't trade any more of their first-round picks until 2027.

Entering free agency, here's a look at where the Lakers' roster stands.

Westbrook has a $47.1 million player option in his contract for the 2022-23 season. Having agreed to a two-year extension in 2020, LeBron James will be entering the final season of his current contract. Anthony Davis, meanwhile, has a $43.2 million player option for 2024-25.

PO = Player option

TO = Team Option

CH = Cap hold

RFA = Restricted free agency

UFA = Unrestricted free agency