Magic Johnson Would ‘Love’ to See Kyrie Irving with Lakers After Nets Commerce Request
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Los Angeles Lakers legend and Basketball Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson threw his help behind the thought of the Lakers buying All-Star guard Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
Magic took to Twitter to specific his hope that the Lakers will discover a option to reunite Irving with former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James:
Earvin Magic Johnson @MagicJohnson
Personally, I’d like to see Kyrie within the purple and gold.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Friday that Irving requested a commerce from the Nets, noting that he would like to be moved earlier than Thursday’s commerce deadline and won’t re-sign with the Nets in the course of the offseason in the event that they hold him.
Charania adopted up with a report that the Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks have emerged as potential suitors for Kyrie.
On the courtroom, Irving is having fun with a wonderful 2022-23 season, as he was chosen an All-Star starter, making him an eight-time All-Star. In 40 video games, he’s averaging 27.1 factors, 5.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds and three.3 three-pointers made whereas taking pictures 48.6 % from the sphere and 37.4 % from past the arc.
Nonetheless, off the courtroom, he amplified an antisemitic film through social media and was suspended indefinitely early this season, finally serving eight video games.
When wholesome, the Lakers have top-of-the-line famous person duos within the NBA in LeBron and Anthony Davis, however AD has missed vital time once more this 12 months, and at 25-28, L.A. could be out of the playoffs if the season ended right now.
Due to the aggressive nature of the Western Convention, nonetheless, the Lakers are only one recreation out of a postseason play-in spot and three video games out of fourth place.
Thus, the Lakers are anticipated to be energetic on the commerce deadline in an try so as to add high quality items round LeBron and Davis. Irving could be a great addition, however it’s unclear if the Lakers have the ammo wanted to make it occur.
The New Orleans Pelicans can swap first-round picks with the Lakers this 12 months and may select between the Lakers’ 2024 and 2025 first-round picks as properly, that means the earliest first-rounder L.A. can commerce is its 2027 choose.
Los Angeles additionally doesn’t have a lot in the best way of fascinating younger gamers to supply, which may make buying Kyrie a pipe dream.
James and Irving beforehand spent three years collectively as teammates in Cleveland, reaching three NBA Finals and successful one championship.
A core of James, Davis and Irving could be powerful to beat come playoff time, and it appears probably that Lakers basic supervisor Rob Pelinka will do every little thing in his energy to make it occur since it’s unclear how for much longer a 38-year-old LeBron will be capable of carry out at an elite stage.
