Lakers News: Rival GM Believes Only One Key LA Decision Maker Wants To Sign Kyrie Irving

A reunion of champions looking less likely.

If anybody working on the LeBron James documentary that will air in about a decade from now is reading this, please do not get too down. It is looking less and less likely that a Kyrie Irving to LA move will take place prior to the 2023-2024 season.

If it were as simple as the Lakers could simply allow D'Angel Russell to walk and Irving could stroll in and take his place, then I think this move would be a no-brainer. As fun as it was having D-Lo back for those first few weeks and as seamless as the fit was, every year is championship or bust with James on the roster and the addition of a former champion would speak for itself.

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D-Lo is currently eligible for a two-year, $67.5 million contract but after a rather disappointing WCF series against the Denver Nuggets, that deal became a pipe dream for him. With Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura becoming the clear-cut priorities for LA this summer, Russell now finds himself in a bit of an awkward situation.

D’Angelo Russell had one bad series but he did help lead us to the WCF…

should the Lakers try to bring him back? ❄️ pic.twitter.com/iAZryykuWB

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 24, 2023

But it's not like Irving is in a much better boat than the former Ohio State guard. He remains one of the biggest risks to add to your team in this current era of the NBA. The skill has never been a question with Irving as he is a walking highlight film and has averaged 27 points or more over the past five seasons.

However, like I said, LA wants another banner hung up in their arena and Irving's last seven years have consisted of early playoff exits or not even making the postseason at all. LeBron James himself has made it clear that he wants his former teammate back with him on the court but new reports from an anonymous NBA GM probably won't make him too happy.

Down 3-1 in 2016, the single greatest duo performance in NBA Finals History:

LeBron — 41 PTS | 16 REB | 7 AST | 3 BLK | 3 STL | 16-30 FG | 4-8 3PT

Kyrie — 41 PTS | 3 REB | 6 AST | 1 BLK | 2 STL | 17-24 FG | 5-7 3PTpic.twitter.com/WzZzHtZSYF

— BronMuse (@BronMuse) May 29, 2023

“I would not like the message very much if I were on the Lakers or if I were in the front office,” the general manager

said

in regard to Irving attending two Lakers games in the playoffs. “There’s not an overwhelming sentiment from them like, ‘We gotta go get Kyrie.’ It’s just LeBron.”

(Via Heavy Sports)

However, we can also look at this the other way and remember just how much power LeBron has had in the past when it comes to front office decisions. This will be quite the interesting offseason in the City of Angels.

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