Kyrie Irving Rumors: 3 Teams Including Lakers Expected To Pursue All-Star Guard Before Trade Deadline

Three major Western Conference clubs have shown interest in acquiring the Nets point guard.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns are expected to engage in trade talks with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving as the trade deadline nears.

Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report notes that the Suns have the contracts and draft capital to make a deal work, and could help move Irving to another contending situation. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim McMahon indicated the Mavs' interest.

Friday morning, the Nets vet announced to the franchise that he would like to be traded. The 30-year-old is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game this season.

Following the unexpected news, several teams have shown interest, although the eight-time NBA All-Star has not hinted at which specific teams he may be leaning towards going to. Most imperatively for LA fans, Woj has revealed that Irving at least remains interested in a certain 17-time championship-winning franchise:

ESPN Sources: Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving has not shared a list of preferred teams, but he has maintained an interest in the Lakers. LA is expected to be among the teams that’ll explore a possible trade with the Nets.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 3, 2023

Ahead of this season, Irving also requested to be sign-and-traded, but ultimately chose to opt into the final year of his four-year max contract.

The Lakers have previously been linked to Irving. The 2016 NBA champion could possibly pair up with former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, LeBron James in Los Angeles once again.

Though sources have stated that the Mavericks are also connected to Irving, their level of interest is unclear.

As the Lakers sit as front runners of the teams involved, there are multiple avenues they could take to make this deal come to fruition. 

With six days remaining until the deadline, anything can happen as the Nets star decides where he will take his talents.