Lakers rumors: LA thinks LeBron James is sending signals he wants Kyrie Irving

ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on the November 11 episode of his podcast that some people in the Los Angeles Lakers viewed LeBron James’ latest viral tweet as an indication that he’s open/wanting the team to have a controversial $136 million star.

mosques Tweet on November 10 He believes Kyrie Irving should be allowed to return to court after he apologized for tweeting a link to an anti-Semitic video. Irving, who did not initially apologize for the video tweet, was suspended by the Brooklyn Nets for at least five unpaid matches and given a series of requirements to meet before his suspension was revoked.

Here’s what Lowe said in his podcast, via RealGM:

“Maybe he just said it because he believes in her and there is nothing else for her,” Lui He said About James’s tweet. “I can tell you about the league and even within the Lakers, some of its corners, these comments were read when LeBron opened the door. At least the door opened for, ‘Hey, if you’re all comfortable with it and all the reaction would be, the networks are ready to go out of business now in Kyrie Irving so we could get it a lot cheaper, not both options, maybe pick one. It was read all over the league where LeBron noted, ‘If you guys want to think about it, I won’t stand in your way.'”

Irving has been closely associated with the Lakers since he played with James for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2014-15 to 2016-2017. Purple and Gold tried to take over Irving last season, with Chris Hines reports from Yahoo Sports in July That Los Angeles and Brooklyn were actively engaged in discussions about a business deal that would send Russell Westbrook to the Nets and Irving to the Lakers.

after the window announced in August That two-time MVP Kevin Durant – who requested a trade – would not be trading, Irving was removed from the trade block. However, Irving’s latest actions may open the door for the Lakers and Nets to speak again.

LeBron wanted the Lakers to acquire Irving over the summer

Mark Stein reported from Substack in July That James wanted the Lakers to trade Westbrook and draft derivatives to the Nets for Irving over the summer. James and Irving played in 183 regular season games together for the Cavaliers, collecting a record 132-51. All stars are also gone 39-13 In the playoffs, he led the Cavaliers to the 2016 Championship over the Golden State Warriors.

Irving is best suited next to James from Westbrook because he can shoot from the ocean. Irving is Career 39.1% shooter from behind the bowwhile Westbrook in 30.5%. The more shooters James has at his disposal, the better his squads will be in attack mode.

Lakers only 2-9 this season and has the worst offensive rating in the NBA. They are last in the league in a 3-point shot and are on track to miss the playoffs again unless general manager Rob Pelinka makes a deal to improve the roster around James, who turns 38 in December.

LeBron wants Pelinka to trade Lakers’ future draft

James and the Lakers’ key players are said to want Pelinka to trade first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to upgrade the roster, according to a Nov. Chris Haynes from the Bleacher Report. James, who average 24.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.9 assists this seasonHe doesn’t want to waste another year of his high-profile game.

Lacking the young, enticing assets and experimental capital to bolster the roster, the Lakers are only armed with two first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 respectively. Sources say James, who will turn 38 next month and turn 20 of his NBA career, doesn’t want to waste a season of his high-profile playing days hoping for incoming reinforcements for the 2023-24 campaign. Other key players on the roster also prefer to use those selections to move up this year’s team,” Haynes said. “This is the stressful decision Belinka is now facing.”

The Lakers can trade Westbrook and draft picks to Nets for Irving under CBA rules. Not only did Irving win a championship with James, but he was also a teammate with Anthony Davis on the 2014 Basketball World Cup team and has a relationship with Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy.