The Dallas Mavericks and brooklyn nets began a week that will change the landscape in the NBA because of the impending trade deadline (Thursday February 9). Dallas reportedly acquired Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris as part of a trade that will send Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and 2027 and 2029 second-round picks to Brooklyn. The two sides reached an agreement just days after the point guard requested a trade. The eight-time All-Star is “excited” for joining the Mavs and forming a dynamic duo with Luka Doncicaccording Chris Haynes from Bleacher Report. Another Western Conference team has very different feelings about this deal: Los Angeles Lakers.
Once Irving made it clear he wanted out of Brooklyn before the trade closed, the Californians were seen as the best place to close the deal. The Lakers have previously expressed interest in signing Kyrie and Lebron James He hasn’t exactly been coy about his thoughts on a potential reunion with his former Cavaliers teammate.
SoWhy is Irving going to Dallas instead of Los Angeles? It’s time to break it down.
Why didn’t the Lakers trade for Kyrie Irving?
Before your transfer request, Kyrie Irving was hoping to sign a contract extension with the Nets. He was looking for a four-year pact worth approx 200 million dollars, but Brooklyn submitted an offer that included “guarantee-based clauses,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The same contract issues arose for the Lakers. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported Sunday that The Californians were hesitant to give Brooklyn the offer it wanted unless Irving immediately agreed to an extension contract for two years and 78.6 million
Amick put it this way:
Both first-round picks (2027 and 2029) and promising young players like Austin Reeves and Max Christie (along with Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract) could be on the table if the Lakers knew Irving he was willing to join his contract with that of James. he has a contract until 2025.
But Irving would rather play out his contract with a hypothetical new team and sign a $198 million max deal over four years that would be available to him. This was not a decisive factor, but it was a cause for surprise. The Lakers, the source said, would offer significantly less in a deal if it was made clear that Irving was guaranteed to be a rental only for the rest of the season.
Additionally, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that while the Nets and Lakers had “various discussions” In relation to a trade for Irving, New York preferred the Mavericks’ offer.
Brooklyn was able to get one point guard and a 3&Das well as future Draft capital, maintaining the optimal competitive level.
One thing the Lakers had working against them has now crystallized – the Nets’ main desire was to ensure their current team was competitive around Kevin Durant, while any LAL offer was based on their future picks.
—Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 5, 2023
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The future of the Lakers without the option of Kyrie Irving
The Los Angeles Lakers will now have to turn their attention to other targets before the trade market closes on February 9. There certainly isn’t another name like Irving on the market, but the Californians could still improve their roster.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports recently reported the possibility of a deal between the Lakers and Utah Jazz which would entail Westbrook, Malik Beasley, Mike Conley and Jarred Vanderbilt. youHe also reported that the Angelenos had been in talks with the Hornets in exchange for Terry Rozier.
If the Lakers are more focused on increasing their wing depth, they could try to keep it Bojan Bogdanovic, though it’s unclear if the Pistons actually want to move him. Eric Gordon would also provide a boost if the Rockets eventually let him go on the cheap.
Here’s the big question for Rob Pelinka to answer: Would any of these players really move the needle for a James-led team that wants to be a true ring contender?
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
