No Traction On Potential Kyrie Irving-To-Lakers Deal

The Nets and Lakers have talked about a trade centered on Kyrie Irving, but there has been no momentum in those conversations and they may have ended entirely.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, talks between the Nets and Lakers on Irving have at least stalled for the time being.

“There’s no traction on any type of a Lakers deal for Kyrie Irving,” Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show. “There’s nothing new on that. I’m not quite sure we’re going to see that take place.”

Irving opted in to the final year of his deal with Brooklyn, but it is widely believed he will be traded, especially after fellow star Kevin Durant made a trade request of his own. Irving reportedly has not made such a request.

Still, the Nets and Lakers were “actively engaged in discussions” on a deal centered on Irving and Russell Westbrook late last week, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

Haynes did add that obstacles remained even in those talks — with Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris being one sticking point.

“Draft compensation is an ongoing talking point for the Nets and they want shooting guard Joe Harris — who is recovering from left ankle surgery — and his remaining $38.6 million owed over the next two years included in the deal,” Haynes reported.

“The Lakers have been disinclined to the inclusion of Harris, and are instead seeking the insertion of sharpshooter Seth Curry as part of the arrangement, sources said.”

Meanwhile, a league source told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that the Nets are actually more inclined to keep Harris.

“I know the Nets absolutely do not want to trade Joe under any scenario,” Lewis quoted a source familiar with the Nets’ thinking as saying. “But there are just thousands of different ways this can play out.” 

As for both Irving and Durant, things appear to be very much in wait-and-see mode, with more likely to develop this week, as team executives embark on Las Vegas for the annual summer league.

Steve Miller contributed to this story.