![Lakers: Here' Why a Kyrie Irving, LeBron James Reunion in LA Is Possible [Rumor]](https://d.hngn.com/en/full/271462/lakers-here-why-kyrie-irving-lebron-james-reunion-la-possible-rumor.jpg?w=830&f=ed9d4388af7fbd0ccdd61b4b871b0f4f)
Rumors have been circulating about the possibility of superstar guard Kyrie Irving exiting the Brooklyn Nets to join the Los Angeles Lakers, reuniting with his former Cavs teammate LeBron James. The move may have enormous financial implications but according to NBA analysts, it is not impossible.
As Kyrie's contract extension talks with the Nets continue to stall, it was previously rumored that LeBron had spoken with his former teammate. For his part, Irving also seems like he might be prepared to make a substantial financial sacrifice just to be able to play for the Lakers.
Kyrie Irving Joining LA is Possible But It Entails Sacrifice
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst: "There is a concern in Brooklyn that Kyrie, because he's not a conventional thinker, Kyrie could be inventive enough to leave the money on the table to go play with the Lakers and reunite with LeBron."
If Kyrie pursues leaving the Nets, he would have to decline the amount of $36.5 million. He needs to make the sacrifice of earning much less if he really wants to play with the Lakers next season due to the team's limited cap room, per ClutchPoints.
Even if Kyrie exercises his player option, the Lakers "do not possess the trade assets to realistically engage Brooklyn in Irving trade talks," as per NBA journalist Marc Stein.
James or AD are the two players the Nets could reasonably ask for in an Irving trade. The Lakers also have no plans to negotiate with that. The Nets would need to give up at least one other player to make the numbers work in the deal, per Bleacher Report. Also, there is the entire history between Kevin Durant and Russ to consider, so Westbrook is not a viable option.
Irving joining the Lakers would either require the Nets to approve a terrible trade that might impact their relationship with Durant, entail Irving to accept a $30 million salary cut for the upcoming season, or require an extremely difficult multi-team deal where several teams essentially went above and beyond to help the Lakers acquire Kyrie.
The Lakers Needs to be Firm
Skip Bayless, meanwhile, presented the reasons for his conviction that the Nets superstar will ultimately decline his player option to sign, saying why Kyrie deserves "$6 million for one year".
"If you could get out from under Russell Westbrook ... and add Kyrie at $6 million, ... it's got some realistic chance. ... If you wind up with LeBron, going into Year 20, and [Anthony Davis] - God knows whether he'll stay healthy or motivated, but you'll still have Anthony Davis in the heart of his prime - and Kyrie at age 30, you're back in contention. At least you're a player now. At least you're a factor," Bayless said on "Undisputed."
Bayless also suggested that Lakers' incoming coach Darvin Ham needs to be "really strong" if he wants to acquire Irving.
"He'd have to be the new sheriff in town to ride herd over that group. But your ability, your star power, your talent level rises exponentially if you add Kyrie to this mix," he said, per Fox Sports.
