A recent take from NBA analyst Zach Lowe suggests that the team might have shifted their focus to another player instead.
The Los Angeles Lakers might not have Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving on their radar anymore.
Irving was linked to the Lakers as news of his contract discussions continues to do the rounds. LA was one of the teams that were reported to be interested in acquiring the services of the guard, but a recent take from NBA analyst Zach Lowe suggests that the team might have shifted their focus to another player instead.
Speaking to Ramona Shelburne on the latest episode of “The Lowe Post,” he opined that the Lakers were more likely to have trade discussions with the Chicago Bulls and acquire Zach LaVine instead.
The duo spoke about the team's interest in DeMar DeRozan and later focused on LaVine, his contract with the Bulls, and the Klutch connection.
“Who [LaVine] is a Klutch client, who is on a gigantic contract. Who I know there has been some thought about with people around the Lakers as a potential trade/that’s kind of our cap space acquisition. Obviously they sacrificed a lot of cap space potentially on Hachimura, which I read that also as a signal that maybe the Kyrie thing is over for them too.”
LaVine and the Lakers have been generating headlines for some time now, and with the trade deadline looming large, only time will tell if LA manages to get the guard's services.
Kyrie Irving Is Reportedly Open To Discuss An Extension With The Nets
After what has been a rather up-and-down season with the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving has reportedly been open to a contract extension with his team.
His agent and stepmother, Shetellia Irving, weighed in on his contract extension. Per Bleacher Report, she said:
"Around Kyrie and staying with the Nets? I have reached out to the Nets regarding this. We have had no significant conversations to date. The desire is to make Brooklyn home, with the right type of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets' court to communicate now if their desire is the same."
Irving averages 26.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season. He is in the final year of his deal, and should there be no extension, and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2022-23.
As far as his connection with the Lakers goes, chances are that the team could still sign him in the offseason if Brooklyn doesn't offer him an extension.
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