[HAYNES] Nets and Lakers actively talking Russ/Kyrie trade…

[zimpy27]

I personally think Nets want to do Durant trade first and are trying to squash the Lakers Kyrie stuff. If I were the Suns, the last thing I want is Lakers putting together a team that can beat them after dismantling team for Durant. If I were Nets and had Suns picks then I'd absolutely want the Lakers to be better than the Suns... Rock that boat.

Interesting dynamic, for sure.

What's also interesting is that Durant, by trying to get out of Brooklyn and win more rings, could end up helping LeBron is his quest to win more rings.

Soap opera stuff here.

I think Durant is more focused on Curry, don't think it escaped his notice that Curry just jumped him a few weeks ago on a lot of people all-time boards.

Curry is Durant's era more than LeBron is and he's losing out IMO.

[hoosierdaddy34]

That strategy worked out well with Paul George:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2784437-paul-george-i-wanted-to-join-lakers-last-year-but-they-didnt-trade-for-me

yeah because the Kyrie and Paul George situations are so similar.

Player on short contract they know wants to play in LA.

They make lowball offers to acquire them as they figure they can sign them as a FA anyway.

Let's see if the results are the same.

PS: They are running out of time with Lebron and KNOW they can't win with Westbrick. They will come around.

There is no market for Kyrie. He’s driven off all other teams with his antics and is already telling everyone he’s signing in LA in 2023 to really hammer the point home. The Nets can’t trade him elsewhere if there is no offers for him.

[HotRocks34]

I personally think Nets want to do Durant trade first and are trying to squash the Lakers Kyrie stuff. If I were the Suns, the last thing I want is Lakers putting together a team that can beat them after dismantling team for Durant. If I were Nets and had Suns picks then I'd absolutely want the Lakers to be better than the Suns... Rock that boat.

Interesting dynamic, for sure.

What's also interesting is that Durant, by trying to get out of Brooklyn and win more rings, could end up helping LeBron is his quest to win more rings.

Soap opera stuff here.

I think Durant is more focused on Curry, don't think it escaped his notice that Curry just jumped him a few weeks ago on a lot of people all-time boards.

Curry is Durant's era more than LeBron is and he's losing out IMO.

No doubt Durant is laser focused on Curry. He might be thinking about both Curry and LeBron, but for sure he's thinking about Curry after this last Dubs title.

[NO-KG-AI]

I personally think Nets want to do Durant trade first and are trying to squash the Lakers Kyrie stuff. If I were the Suns, the last thing I want is Lakers putting together a team that can beat them after dismantling team for Durant. If I were Nets and had Suns picks then I'd absolutely want the Lakers to be better than the Suns... Rock that boat.

Interesting dynamic, for sure.

What's also interesting is that Durant, by trying to get out of Brooklyn and win more rings, could end up helping LeBron is his quest to win more rings.

Soap opera stuff here.

I think Durant is more focused on Curry, don't think it escaped his notice that Curry just jumped him a few weeks ago on a lot of people all-time boards.

Curry is Durant's era more than LeBron is and he's losing out IMO.

It's pretty clear they aren't landing in the GOAT conversation, so it makes more sense to chase Curry at this point.

[SelfishPlayer]

Interesting dynamic, for sure.

What's also interesting is that Durant, by trying to get out of Brooklyn and win more rings, could end up helping LeBron is his quest to win more rings.

Soap opera stuff here.

I think Durant is more focused on Curry, don't think it escaped his notice that Curry just jumped him a few weeks ago on a lot of people all-time boards.

Curry is Durant's era more than LeBron is and he's losing out IMO.

No doubt Durant is laser focused on Curry. He might be thinking about both Curry and LeBron, but for sure he's thinking about Curry after this last Dubs title.

I don't think that Durant has ever been in competition with Curry. He chose to allow Curry to carry him to championships. Durant is focused upon lessoning LeBron's legacy. He wants to continue to stop Lebron from winning more titles. He did it by joining GSW and by getting in Kyrie's ear while he was still LeBron's teammate.

[God Squad]

Does anyone really believe LeBron at age 37, AD at 29 and made of glass and Kyrie are a legit threat for the Championship? I don't even think they're top 4 or 5 in the West. Off the top
1. Suns
2. Grizz
3. Clippers
4. Denver

Likely/Possibly better than
5. Mavs
6. Pelicans

That's not even including the East teams that are likely better.

[HiDef]

Even if nobody wants him now, the Nets could easily get a return for him at the deadline. And they seem pretty spiteful about the whole thing.

The Lakers wanna bet that Kyrie is gonna 100% commit to them next year when they're not his only option, coming off another disaster of a season without him?

End of the day I think this trade will be Brooklyn saying here's what we want, and LA saying yes

[NO-KG-AI]

Does anyone really believe LeBron at age 37, AD at 29 and made of glass and Kyrie are a legit threat for the Championship? I don't even think they're top 4 or 5 in the West. Off the top
1. Suns
2. Grizz
3. Clippers
4. Denver

Likely/Possibly better than
5. Mavs
6. Pelicans

That's not even including the East teams that are likely better.

I think they are all likely to miss too many games and won't be that deep as a team to win a title, I just don't want them to get another all star that can mess up our draft pick now or in the coming years. I need them to sink. lol.

[Slava]

Does anyone really believe LeBron at age 37, AD at 29 and made of glass and Kyrie are a legit threat for the Championship? I don't even think they're top 4 or 5 in the West. Off the top
1. Suns
2. Grizz
3. Clippers
4. Denver

Likely/Possibly better than
5. Mavs
6. Pelicans

That's not even including the East teams that are likely better.

Davis, since he arrived in LA has played more games than:

1. Kawhi Leonard
2. Paul George
3. Jamal Murray

If you are going to use injuries as an excuse, don't put the Clippers on a pedestal either.

[Slava]

Even if nobody wants him now, the Nets could easily get a return for him at the deadline.

This is based on absolutely nothing.

[God Squad]

Does anyone really believe LeBron at age 37, AD at 29 and made of glass and Kyrie are a legit threat for the Championship? I don't even think they're top 4 or 5 in the West. Off the top
1. Suns
2. Grizz
3. Clippers
4. Denver

Likely/Possibly better than
5. Mavs
6. Pelicans

That's not even including the East teams that are likely better.

Davis, since he arrived in LA has played more games than:

1. Kawhi Leonard
2. Paul George
3. Jamal Murray

If you are going to use injuries as an excuse, don't put the Clippers on a pedestal either.

So what? You think the Lakers (Even with Kyrie) are better than a healthy Clips or Nuggets? I think not. I agree the Clippers are all "theoretical". But they have the better roster, better star players and better coaching. I'd bet on the Clippers in a h2h series.

[Noctilux]

Does anyone really believe LeBron at age 37, AD at 29 and made of glass and Kyrie are a legit threat for the Championship? I don't even think they're top 4 or 5 in the West. Off the top
1. Suns
2. Grizz
3. Clippers
4. Denver

Likely/Possibly better than
5. Mavs
6. Pelicans

That's not even including the East teams that are likely better.

Davis, since he arrived in LA has played more games than:

1. Kawhi Leonard
2. Paul George
3. Jamal Murray

If you are going to use injuries as an excuse, don't put the Clippers on a pedestal either.

So what? You think the Lakers (Even with Kyrie) are better than a healthy Clips or Nuggets? I think not. I agree the Clippers are all "theoretical". But they have the better roster, better star players and better coaching. I'd bet on the Clippers in a h2h series.

So you’re saying the Clippers at best case scenario are better than the Lakers at worst case scenario. Got it.

[Castle Black]

Update.

Read on Twitter

[zshawn10]

[Charania] “There’s no traction on any type of a Lakers deal for Kyrie Irving.”

https://streamable.com/h5ffqe

[Kilroy]

Lakers should NOT send any picks out... Keep the picks, keep Westbrook and ride out the season... Maybe something good happens. At least you can be fairly confident Westbrook will play most of the games.

[Jedi32]

Lakers should NOT send any picks out... Keep the picks, keep Westbrook and ride out the season... Maybe something good happens. At least you can be fairly confident Westbrook will play most of the games.

My thoughts exactly

[Vae Victus]

Lakers should NOT send any picks out... Keep the picks, keep Westbrook and ride out the season... Maybe something good happens. At least you can be fairly confident Westbrook will play most of the games.

Exactly. Anyone thinking they can extract UNPROTECTED 2027+ FRP/Swaps are just dreaming.

Everyone knows the post-Lebron Lakers are going to SUCK. Even best case scenario, they get a steal of a trade out of Westbrick's expiring that the Lakers stay contenders for 2-3 years, but by 2027 Lebron is 100% retired and AD is a shell of himself, so those 2027+ FRPs are basically gonna be high lotto.

Not a chance in hell that Lakers are gonna trade those franchise defining picks.

Lakers are better off taking their lumps in 2023-2026, after Lebron/Westbrook expire, while forking over decently high picks to the NOP, while being led by a franchise built around AD (IE a 30ish win squad). Then praying they can steal another superstar via FA or demanding out in a trade.

[Jordan45822]

So is that Buddy Hield trade still available? If so Lakers should do that and call it a day.

[Liam_Gallagher]

So is that Buddy Hield trade still available? If so Lakers should do that and call it a day.

THT, Nunn for Hield. No picks.

G - Westbrook/Beverly (buy out?)
G - Hield/Walker IV
F - James/Reaves/Brown Jr.
F - Davis/JTA/Johnson
C - Jones/Whiteside?/Gabriel

[TrueFan420]

Does anyone really believe LeBron at age 37, AD at 29 and made of glass and Kyrie are a legit threat for the Championship? I don't even think they're top 4 or 5 in the West. Off the top
1. Suns
2. Grizz
3. Clippers
4. Denver

Likely/Possibly better than
5. Mavs
6. Pelicans

That's not even including the East teams that are likely better.

lol damn bro, don’t even have the current NBA champs as the top 6 in the West.