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

[Kilroy]

Brooklyn Fans and Laker haters are so funny...

You actually think we want Kyrie, or think he's the answer to our problems...

He's nothing more than a diversion for us... We're fine with a rental, because if it doesn't work, we don't have to sign him long term...

And a lot of us don't care what LeBron wants at this point... We pretty much gave him everything he wanted already other than the keys to the franchise...

LeBron and AD are never healthy together, and when they are, they've been a bit underwhelming... Mixing in Kyrie only really satisfies Kyrie...

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

And we also know, nobody besides us even cares that much... So why are we obligated to give anything more than Westbrook straight up? Who are we satisfying... You?!

Funny thing happens on the road to a Laker trade... For all other teams, the player traded is the player he was the last time he played, for the Lakers, no matter who the player is, he instantly becomes the best player he ever was or was ever supposed to be when he's mentioned in a trade with the Lakers...

Lol...not sure why you're talking like you work for the Lakers FO. It's irrelevant what you or the fans feel about it, because I absolutely guarantee you that Jeanie Buss cares. This idea that the Lakers don't care about next season and are fine punting it is pretty laughable

You aren't following the context here... The context (and the text for that matter... Reading skills) is that "Lakers fans are funny because ________ " Either myopic, entitled, delusional... Whatever...

Not the Lakers FO is funny... But specifically us fans...

So basically... Read better.

[GunnerWRX]

Kyrie needs his bird rights, not the Lakers. Re-signing Kyrie for his max might be disastrous. That's part of the inherent risk the other teams are looking at too.

The Lakers need it as well, as Kyrie is not going to take a paycut and join the Lakers for the TMLE. He could have opted out and joined the Lakers for the TMLE this summer.

Bird Right isn't just for the max. The Lakers can't get Kyrie for more than TMLE next summer without his Bird Rights. Even if the Lakers want to sign Kyrie for $15-20m/yr, they need his Bird Rights next summer.

Lakers have a clean cap besides Davis and THT’s option next summer.

That will greatly depend on LeBron, doesn't it? (as always)

His cap hold alone is $51m.

[Kilroy]

Brooklyn Fans and Laker haters are so funny...

You actually think we want Kyrie, or think he's the answer to our problems...

He's nothing more than a diversion for us... We're fine with a rental, because if it doesn't work, we don't have to sign him long term...

And a lot of us don't care what LeBron wants at this point... We pretty much gave him everything he wanted already other than the keys to the franchise...

LeBron and AD are never healthy together, and when they are, they've been a bit underwhelming... Mixing in Kyrie only really satisfies Kyrie...

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

And we also know, nobody besides us even cares that much... So why are we obligated to give anything more than Westbrook straight up? Who are we satisfying... You?!

Funny thing happens on the road to a Laker trade... For all other teams, the player traded is the player he was the last time he played, for the Lakers, no matter who the player is, he instantly becomes the best player he ever was or was ever supposed to be when he's mentioned in a trade with the Lakers...

Kyrie will be a laker as soon as next summer,

so why waste a yr of lebron to Save some tax money and a possible future pick???

No reason, other than I don't really believe that's the equation that is causing the hold up... I think there's a bigger divide than that otherwise, yeah, the deal would already be done...

I don't really care about the pick either, other than it provides flexibility and I'm not really sure a full first is necessary at this point.

[JB2]

I'm going out on a limb here, but I think Harris is a non-starter for the Lakers. I truly believe that if Brooklyn offered Harris and Kyrie for Westbrook and no picks (not that they would of course), the Lakers would decline. Between salary and luxury tax, that trade would cost the Lakers an extra $30+ million this upcoming season. I don't think they're willing to pay that much at all.

If the Lakers wouldn’t do that deal then that bodes pretty badly for the Lakers future. Give up no picks, get Kyrie (and Harris if healthy is a pretty good fit). They’re the god damn Lakers and they won’t bite the tax bullet for that? They are the most popular and valuable franchise in the league. That type of team should be willing (and able) to eat that cost.

If the Lakers start pinching penny’s won’t future stars who want to go there see that as a bad sign?

It's just speculation on my part, but they have shown to be stingy (Caruso). If Kyrie really wants to be there I think Jeanie is perfectly content to ride out the season, let Westbrook expire, and sign Kyrie outright in order to save the money this season.

I guess. But save money as a lotto team (which is what current roster is), upset fan base 2 years in a row, risk LeBron leaving (eventually AD if Bron bounces) and really suck when you don't have control over your picks - OR - pay the cost now, contend, get LeBron to stay, and maintain a 2/4 year title window.

Seems like easy decision to me but I'm not paying the bills.

[levon]

The Lakers need it as well, as Kyrie is not going to take a paycut and join the Lakers for the TMLE. He could have opted out and joined the Lakers for the TMLE this summer.

Bird Right isn't just for the max. The Lakers can't get Kyrie for more than TMLE next summer without his Bird Rights. Even if the Lakers want to sign Kyrie for $15-20m/yr, they need his Bird Rights next summer.

Lakers have a clean cap besides Davis and THT’s option next summer.

That will greatly depend on LeBron, doesn't it? (as always)

His cap hold alone is $51m.

It will, but even if Kyrie still wants to come, do the Lakers want Kyrie without Lebron? I don't know, I don't see this insane forcing function for the Lakers.

Now do I think if this deal gets done they'll both re-up for at least one more year and the Lakers will gladly enter the Kyrie business? Of course. But forget the 27 and 29 picks: _that_ move actually carries the biggest risk for the Lakers. Without a Kyrie trade, that risk is dodged.

[GunnerWRX]

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

[matt6715]

So Minney wouldn't take a gamble on Wessy - send dlo to bk - kyrie to Lakers - there's fillers that get it done from a cap standpoint.

Wessy
Edwards
Mcdaniels
Kat
Gobert

Just cut out the Lakers and hope Kyrie can keep his head on straight for 50 games next year

[levon]

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

Again, it's not Kyrie for Westbrook. We're on day 8 of it and you know why the deal might make sense for Brooklyn. And it's not because they love Westbrook's on-court value.

And the Nets don't have a choice but to trade him. I suppose they can buy him out or waive-and-stretch him and get either nothing, or nothing + dead cap for three years.

[Kilroy]

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

I mean of course that's the Lakers take... What else would it be? AD for Kyrie? That'd be asinine... We don't really have enough assets outside of Westbrook to make the deal work... So yeah... WooHoo... Westbrook for Kyrie... Maybe that will work, or whatever...

And does anyone honestly think the Nets keeping Kyrie is a viable option at this point?.. I mean, it's of course possible, but do we honestly think Brooklyn wants anything to do with that option?
So until we hear of another viable trade option, the Lakers are kind of the only game in town...

That's just facts at this point... Not fans being arrogant.

[GunnerWRX]

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

Again, it's not Kyrie for Westbrook. We're on day 8 of it and you know why the deal might make sense for Brooklyn. And it's not because they love Westbrook's on-court value.

And the Nets don't have a choice but to trade him. I suppose they can buy him out or waive-and-stretch him and get either nothing, or nothing + dead cap for three years.

The Nets didn't get Kyrie to play most of last season anyway. How does trading him to the Lakers help them this season, or next? Westbrook is a negative. They will most like let Westbrook walk next summer anyway, instead of re-signing for even $15-20m per year.

On the flip side, the Lakers Nation can watch another dumpster burning with 38-yo LeBron + AD and scrubs.

Outside looking in, the Lakers have a bigger urgency than the Nets to me. And I don't care for either team actually.

If you say so, I would just conclude Lakers don't care, and the Nets shouldn't care.

[trickshot]

Lakers have AD and Lebron. They shouldn't just be up there in luxury tax and salary, they should be far and away the highest tax bill. It shouldn't even be close if the 3rd best player is anything better than a G-leaguer talk less of all star.

[Hello Brooklyn]

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

I literally don't want to trade Kyrie to the Lakers no matter what.

Some of these Lakers fans are beyond delusional. Giving up Curry/Harris and taking on Westbrick's contract is negative value.

I would WAY rather just tell Kyrie to go home.

Losing him for "nothing" is not a big deal at all.

By the time the deadline comes around a team like Dallas might not like their record and exchange Kyrie for some contracts it wants off the books.

Either way I don't want negative value.

Lakers can give him 100 mill next off season. He chose to opt in.

[Tha King]

So if we're not throwing everything at the Nets for Kyrie... It's not because we're entitled, it's because we don't really care all that much...

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

I mean of course that's the Lakers take... What else would it be? AD for Kyrie? That'd be asinine... We don't really have enough assets outside of Westbrook to make the deal work... So yeah... WooHoo... Westbrook for Kyrie... Maybe that will work, or whatever...

And does anyone honestly think the Nets keeping Kyrie is a viable option at this point?.. I mean, it's of course possible, but do we honestly think Brooklyn wants anything to do with that option?
So until we hear of another viable trade option, the Lakers are kind of the only game in town...

That's just facts at this point... Not fans being arrogant.

If the only alternative is having to take on WB while also having to trade another good player on your team to make the trade work (Curry, Harris), yes.

[Kilroy]

I respect this take from a Lakers fan.

From reading GB, not a Laker or Nets fan, your take seems to be a minority though. Most of the takes if you scroll through even this thread, it's "oh Kyrie wants to join the Lakers, so here you go you get Westbrook." When people say taking in Westbrook should actually cost more than trading an expiring-leaving-next-summer-Kyrie into TPE/cap space, those "Laker fans" act like the Nets have no choice but to trade Kyrie. Not only that, but to trade Kyrie for Westbrook.

I mean of course that's the Lakers take... What else would it be? AD for Kyrie? That'd be asinine... We don't really have enough assets outside of Westbrook to make the deal work... So yeah... WooHoo... Westbrook for Kyrie... Maybe that will work, or whatever...

And does anyone honestly think the Nets keeping Kyrie is a viable option at this point?.. I mean, it's of course possible, but do we honestly think Brooklyn wants anything to do with that option?
So until we hear of another viable trade option, the Lakers are kind of the only game in town...

That's just facts at this point... Not fans being arrogant.

If the only alternative is having to take on WB while also having to trade another good player on your team to make the trade work (Curry, Harris), yes.

Cool... Keep them all... But for the record, the Lakers didn't ask for Harris... The Nets wanted to get off his contract...

It's not like we can't just ride out the season with Westbrook too... Who will most likely be much less of a distraction than Kyrie.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I mean of course that's the Lakers take... What else would it be? AD for Kyrie? That'd be asinine... We don't really have enough assets outside of Westbrook to make the deal work... So yeah... WooHoo... Westbrook for Kyrie... Maybe that will work, or whatever...

And does anyone honestly think the Nets keeping Kyrie is a viable option at this point?.. I mean, it's of course possible, but do we honestly think Brooklyn wants anything to do with that option?
So until we hear of another viable trade option, the Lakers are kind of the only game in town...

That's just facts at this point... Not fans being arrogant.

If the only alternative is having to take on WB while also having to trade another good player on your team to make the trade work (Curry, Harris), yes.

Cool... Keep them all... But for the record, the Lakers didn't ask for Harris... The Nets wanted to get off his contract...

It's not like we can't just ride out the season with Westbrook too... Who will most likely be much less of a distraction than Kyrie.

Complete lie. Brian Lewis of the NY Post literally said they didn't want to trade Harris. Who is more connected with the Nets?

Westbrook is a huge distraction for the Lakers. Because everyone knows they don't want him there and he sucks!

And unlike the Nets, the Lakers are actually competing for a title. Could easily lose LeBron next off season.

Feel free to embark on your wild goose chase for a Championship with kooky Kyrie next off season. He chose to opt in.

[ChaseDown]

Okay literally y’all arguing about NOTHING! Kyrie + whoever for Westbrook straight up won’t happen. There has to be 3+ other teams involved. And it’s gonna happen.

[Kilroy]

If the only alternative is having to take on WB while also having to trade another good player on your team to make the trade work (Curry, Harris), yes.

Cool... Keep them all... But for the record, the Lakers didn't ask for Harris... The Nets wanted to get off his contract...

It's not like we can't just ride out the season with Westbrook too... Who will most likely be much less of a distraction than Kyrie.

Complete lie. Brian Lewis of the NY Post literally said they didn't want to trade Harris. Who is more connected with the Nets?

Westbrook is a huge distraction for the Lakers. Because everyone knows they don't want him there and he sucks!

And unlike the Nets, the Lakers are actually competing for a title. Could easily lose LeBron next off season.

Feel free to embark on your wild goose chase for a Championship with kooky Kyrie next off season. He chose to opt in.

Complete lie? Conflicting reports, maybe... But you're on a slippery slope calling that a lie... It smacks of feelings...

Westbrook shows up and plays every game... he's a terrible fit, but other than that, he's not a distraction at all really...

And only the truly delusional fans think we'll be competing for a championship at this point... Westbrook or Kyrie... Kyrie represents a low risk/high reward, swing-for-the-fences gamble, attempt to maybe get to the championship conversation... But if you're going into this thinking 'if we get Kyrie, we're a lock for the Chip,' then you are in fact, all kinds of delusional...

And there are a lot of us who think that maybe, "losing LeBron" might be the best possible solution to our current expensive mediocrty.

[nbafan38]

Although neither PG nor Kawhi ended up a Laker, they both did leave their original teams.

I'm sure barring some extreme change of events Kyrie won't be on the nets after this season but I don't think a 2027 first round pick is worth blowing a chance to compete this season.

Do you really believe that the Nets will be in a position to compete next year when their two best players have openly asked to be traded?

If there is a strong belief that both KD and Kyrie will give it everything they have if they remain Nets next year, I wouldn't trade them either, and certainly not for a 2027 FRP.

Do I believe it? I don't know. But to play the other side of it, do you really believe Kyrie Irving is going to not try to play hard on a contract year and that Kevin Durant is going to handle this unprofessionally and not try hard next year?

[nbafan38]

If Kyrie sits out all of next year he honestly might end up out of the nba. Already no teams want to pay him. He may not actually care, who knows with him.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Cool... Keep them all... But for the record, the Lakers didn't ask for Harris... The Nets wanted to get off his contract...

It's not like we can't just ride out the season with Westbrook too... Who will most likely be much less of a distraction than Kyrie.

Complete lie. Brian Lewis of the NY Post literally said they didn't want to trade Harris. Who is more connected with the Nets?

Westbrook is a huge distraction for the Lakers. Because everyone knows they don't want him there and he sucks!

And unlike the Nets, the Lakers are actually competing for a title. Could easily lose LeBron next off season.

Feel free to embark on your wild goose chase for a Championship with kooky Kyrie next off season. He chose to opt in.

Complete lie? Conflicting reports, maybe... But you're on a slippery slope calling that a lie... It smacks of feelings...

Westbrook shows up and plays every game... he's a terrible fit, but other than that, he's not a distraction at all really...

And only the truly delusional fans think we'll be competing for a championship at this point... Westbrook or Kyrie... Kyrie represents a low risk/high reward, swing-for-the-fences gamble, attempt to maybe get to the championship conversation... But if you're going into this thinking 'if we get Kyrie, we're a lock for the Chip,' then you are in fact, all kinds of delusional...

And there are a lot of us who think that maybe, "losing LeBron" might be the best possible solution to our current expensive mediocrty.

I think its a lie because Lewis is more credible than Haynes when it comes to the Nets.

Not to mention Joe Harris is the longest tenured Net, often consulted by Marks on decisions and a great role player. Why would we want to just dump him?

Westbrook will be a distraction if he knows you desperately want to trade him and hes asked to show up and played hard everyday. Not to mention hes not good anymore.

Thats fine if the Lakers want to lose LeBron. But Nets have same mentality with Kyrie.

Don't think its worth taking back Westbrook. Now if you can find a third team to eat the Westrook salary then I would consider it.