Report: LeBron James 'privately adamant' Lakers still need to trade for Kyrie Irving

LeBron James quieted speculation that he may leave the Los Angeles Lakers next offseason after signing a two-year, $97.1 million extension with the team on Wednesday. 

With his contract now taken care of, the focus turns to the Lakers' roster. 

According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, James is still putting pressure on the team to make significant improvements ahead of the 2022-2023 season. 

"Those around the team were confident that James singing an extension was likely, considering how much he's enjoyed playing for the Lakers and living in Los Angeles," Buha wrote. "The primary complication in James' decision was that he has been privately adamant that the Lakers still need to improve the current roster and trade for superstar point guard Kyrie Irving," 

The Lakers' interest in the disgruntled Brooklyn Nets guard hasn't been a secret. However, the Lakers and Nets have been unable to come to an agreement on a deal. 

The Nets have been unwilling to accept guard Russell Westbrook and his $47 million salary for 2022-2023 in a trade. Meanwhile, the Lakers balked at the Nets' asking price of two first-round picks, a stance which reportedly changed last week. 

Since winning the NBA title in 2019-2020, the Lakers suffered a first-round exit the following season before missing the postseason altogether last year. 

With both rosters in flux, the Nets and Lakers will need to make changes if they hope to compete this upcoming season. 

Recently, a panel of ESPN Insiders ranked their projected finishers in each conference, leaving the Lakers and Nets out of the top 10.