The Los Angeles Lakers have made it no secret that they want Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets.
At this point, it’s just a matter of what the organization is willing to part with in a trade for him.
A general framework for a potential deal centering around Irving has already been established. L.A. has deemed that two players are off-limits, but beyond that the rest of the roster outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis are available.
This week, Shams Charania of The Athletic spoke to Pat McAfee and broke down what the Lakers’ best offer to the Nets looks like.
“The Lakers are being very active for a trade just overall on the marketplace,” Charania said.
“When you look at Russell Westbrook and their two first-round picks, is that enough for Kyrie Irving? Do the Lakers make that offer? That’s something we’ll have to track between now and next Thursday.”
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, L.A. is currently trying to insert some protections for their draft picks in the prospective trade.
“Protecting one of those picks could result in the Nets asking for the Lakers to perhaps include Austin Reaves or Max Christie, two of the Lakers’ promising young role players,” Buha wrote.
“But the Lakers aren’t interested in including either in a potential package, according to those sources.”
Time will tell what Irving will ultimately cost the Lakers, but they are unlikely to get a good deal for him. Three other teams are very interested in him at the moment, so if Los Angeles doesn’t get him, someone will.
Will the Lakers’ best trade package be good enough to acquire Irving ahead of Feb. 9? Time will tell.
Related: Kevin Durant and LeBron James’ Reactions to Kyrie Irving Trade Demand
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