Report: Talks emerge of Kyrie Irving being traded to Lakers for Russell Westbrook

On Saturday evening, reports emerged that the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are actively engaged in trade discussions centered around a Kyrie Irving–Russell Westbrook trade package, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. It should be noted these trade discussions are very early in the process. While both players have superstar ability, there are plenty of questions surrounding both of them.

Will Kyrie Irving show up to work for his team?

For Kyrie Irving, it’s simply his availability. Will he show up to work? That’s precisely why the Nets are potentially considering dealing him in the first place. Irving couldn’t play in home games last season due to his vaccination status and created a lot of drama in the process. It’s one cryptic tweet after another with the former Duke star and missing all of those games last year might have convinced the Nets front office that they’ve finally had enough.

Irving just recently opted-in to his $37 million deal for next season and it looked like he was going to be playing with the Brooklyn Nets for the 2022-2023 season. Saturday night’s news, however, changes everything. Irving’s talent is undeniable, and he’s been blessed with one of the greatest crossovers the game of basketball has ever seen. But the Nets might have finally decided they are sick and tired of all the drama that he brings to the table and that it’s not worth it.

As for Westbrook, while he’s shown superstar ability in the past as one of the game’s very best, his time in Los Angeles can be considered nothing but a dramatic disappointment. Historically, the former UCLA star was at one point in time, a triple-double machine in the prime of his NBA career. However, his form on the Los Angeles Lakers this season was nothing remotely close to that. Questions remain if he can regain his old form, or if his numbers will continue to decline in the future.

The trade talks are very early and there are several hurdles that need to be cleared for it to actually happen

There are a number of hurdles that need to be cleared for the trade to actually happen. Draft picks are a major discussion point for the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets also want shooting guard Joe Harris and his remaining $38.6 million over the next year included in the deal, per Yahoo Sports.

The Lakers reportedly don’t want Harris and instead want sharpshooter Seth Curry as part of the trade package, per Yahoo Sports. The Nets have also noted that discussions involving the trade are very early at this point, according to that same report.

Brooklyn is also currently listening to several different trade offers from across the league for their other star, Kevin Durant, who recently requested a trade at the beginning of free agency.