Lakers Rumors: Writer Links Former MVP Free Agent to LA as Surprise Landing Spot

A new big three in Los Angeles.

Kyrie Irving has been the name linked to the Los Angeles Lakers the most as of late and it was in large part due to his own decisions to attend multiple playoff games at Crypto.com Arena in the 2023 playoffs. Obviously, he is a professional athlete and his love for the game comes first but I can only imagine how the Dallas Mavericks felt seeing him all smiles courtside at those matches.

However, it is starting to look like a pipe dream for the one-time champion guard to find his way to Hollywood due to both the Lakers' cap situation and Dallas' reported refusals to help with a sign-and-trade. Irving has developed a sort of reputation over the years of being a star that is all optimism when he first arrives and ends up ripping the team apart by the time he's gone.

But it appears that Mark Cuban and the rest of the Mavericks organization aren't scared of this and will not sell their investment this early. Therefore, what direction can the Lakers go in if Irving is off of the table?

LeBron James’ breakaway dunks with James Harden’s reaction to them in real-time. pic.twitter.com/wTe7X8rzeV

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 26, 2022

The Chef To LA

If James Harden is not careful, his resume is going to start looking like Kyrie's as he successfully worked out a trade away from the Houston Rockets back in 2021, then received one from the Brooklyn Nets as well and now looks poised to just outright leave the Philadelphia 76ers after a 2023 second round exit.

In Harden's case, all signs have pointed towards him going back to Houston and I do think that's an ideal option for him if he's accepted the fact that he may not win a championship ever in his career. He remains one of the game's best scorers and facilitators and could help develop Houston's young stars while playing for a city that truly loves him.

Or he could run point guard for the Lakers and give himself a great opportunity at his first ring while playing with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Don't believe it could happen? Just ask Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz.

Rockets James Harden was DIFFERENT 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/WufwzmMXVF

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) June 4, 2023

"A backcourt of Harden and Austin Reaves would lessen LeBron James' ball-handling responsibilities, assuming

he doesn't retire

, of course. Anthony Davis' rim protection can make up for a lot of Harden's defensive deficiencies on the perimeter as well."

(Via Bleacher Report)

"While it would mean parting with some of their key role players (Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba), the Lakers could carve out enough cap space to possibly entice Harden, especially given that this core was four wins away from reaching the NBA Finals, a place the 33-year-old hasn't been to in over a decade."

(Via Bleacher Report)

As always, we'll have to see in the coming months where everybody's mindset is but James Harden in a Lakers uniform could be something very special.

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