LA Lakers Rumors: Insider predicts Kyrie Irving will join LeBron James this year

Recent LA Lakers rumors indicate that Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving may team up with LeBron James this year itself. With several rumors tying Irving to the Lakers, Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck predicts the move to happen in 2023.

The Lakers have been linked with Kyrie Irving since the start of the offseason. Considering the trade rumors coming out of Brooklyn at the time, Kevin Durant and Irving were both expected to be on the outs from the team.

In this regard, the Lakers emerged as a prime candidate to make a trade work out for Irving. Offering up Russell Westbrook in the process of doing so, the Lakers were heavily involved in trade negotiations with the Nets. However, no such deal materialized.

As trade chatter around Irving gradually died down, the superstar still found himself in a rough patch with the media.

Following his social media antics that earned him a rather hefty suspension, Irving has proven to be quite a difficult asset to manage. In this regard, although Brooklyn has seen some tremendous output from the guard, the Nets may want to reconsider signing Irving to a long-term deal moving forward.

The Nets guard has already picked up his player option this season. This means that he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. With several factors indicating that Brooklyn will look in a different direction, Sports Illustrated's Howard Beck predicted that Irving would team up with LeBron James next season.

Beck's prediction was listed amongst others in Sports Illustrated's 36 bold prediction in sports for the coming year. With regards to Irving, Beck wrote:

"The Nets seem content to finish this season with their current core, including the perpetual distraction in the No. 11 jersey. But this is now an all-or-nothing campaign. Unless the Nets win it all, it’s hard to see them re-signing Irving next summer. It’s also hard to see much of a market for him, given his recent history. We do know LeBron James would welcome a reunion, though."

As mentioned earlier, the possibility of Kyrie Irving teaming up with LeBron James on the LA Lakers has been in consideration since the 2022 offseason. However, the whole ordeal hangs upon a few variables.

Beck mentioned that the Nets may only consider re-signing Irving if the team wins the championship this season. Meanwhile, there is virtually no demand for Irving in the market given his recent debacles.

With many factors favoring the LA Lakers' chances, the Purple and Gold may consider pursuing such a move.

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The LA Lakers will have the money to sign Kyrie Irving

The LA Lakers look like a broken and battered team this season. Although LeBron James is still producing impressive numbers, by virtue of injuries and poor roster construction, the Lakers are a bit of a disappointment.

However, next season presents several opportunities to make good upon promises. With Russell Westbrook's massive contract coming off the books, the Purple and Gold will have the money to sign Kyrie Irving if they so desire it.

While this comes with its own baggage, the notion that James is open to the idea of a reunion is certainly reassuring. Meanwhile, the Lakers would also give LeBron an opportunity to compete for a title even at this stage in his career. This is especially important considering his cryptic message to the team earlier last week.

While a lot of things seem good on paper, the LA Lakers would certainly have their hands full with managing Irving. The notion of acquiring him, however, remains intriguing.