The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are currently engaged in some of the most unorthodox blockbuster trade negotiations in NBA history. Both sides have a big point guard that nobody else seems to want. The Lakers are trying to trade Russell Westbrook, who is owed $47 million and is coming off the worst season of his career. The Nets want to move Kyrie Irving, who just missed most of the 2021-22 season because of his refusal to comply with New York’s vaccine mandate. There is no other clearly visible trading partner for either side, and this has significantly complicated negotiations. According to Marc Stein, the Nets want first-round draft compensation from the Lakers to make the trade, but perhaps more importantly, they’re focusing on resolving the Kevin Durant situation before turning their attention to Irving. Durant is also seeking a trade, but with four years left on his deal, the Nets have the power to bide their time. As much as they want to move on from Irving, doing so before moving Durant would make it nearly impossible for them to contend for a title should they end up keeping the 2014 MVP. Check the opt-in box to confirm you want to join.
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The Lakers have two tradeable first-round picks: one in 2027 and another in 2029. The Lakers have resisted including them in trade negotiations, but a player of Irving’s caliber might be an exception. Speaking of hesitation, the Nets would rather not take Westbrook back in a potential deal because of his over-the-top numbers. The $11 million salary gap between the two point guards would cost Brooklyn more than $50 million including luxury taxes before considering the financial implications of a potential Durant trade. The San Antonio Spurs, with more than $30 million in cap space, have been mentioned as a possible third team to take on Westbrook, so the Nets don’t have to. The Lakers have reportedly made deals with the Indiana Pacers (for Buddy Hield) and the Houston Rockets (for Eric Gordon) to add shooting, but both players have much lower percentages than Westbrook. Indiana could bridge that gap by including center Myles Turner, who the Lakers have long coveted, but according to Stein, they likely won’t have the wherewithal to land both Turner and Hield. Multiple reports say that LeBron James really wants Irving to join him in Los Angeles. But until Durant’s situation is resolved, the Nets have no reason to rush. If a Durant trade were to come, the Lakers should be able to trade Irving simply because the Nets would no longer have any reason to keep him. For now, though, the ball is in Brooklyn’s court.
