NBA News Roundup, Sunday, May 19th: Lakers target All-Star duo, Teams hesitant to sign Kyrie Irving and more

With the NBA Finals now well underway, the playoffs are currently the talk of the basketball world, although there is no shortage of other stories emerging from around the league.

The 2019 draft is just weeks away, and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, and a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker are about to hit free agency.

So, with plenty happening around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for May 19th.

The Lakers are interested in Bradley Beal and Kyle Lowry

The Los Angeles Lakers are understood to be looking to pair LeBron James with a second All-Star this summer, and according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Lakers are monitoring both Bradley Beal and Kyle Lowry:

The Lakers have other players they're targeting in trades, according to league sources. Chief among them is Wizards guard Bradley Beal, though with the Wizards not yet hiring a front office honcho, no decision has been made whether to trade Beal. But LA will be in position to make an attractive offer if Beal is put on the block.

There's also interest in point guard Kyle Lowry, who could be available if the Raptors lose Kawhi Leonard in free agency. Because of Lowry's age (33) and contract ($33 million for next season), the Lakers could bring him in for a relatively limited outgoing package.

Both Beal and Lowry were named All-Star's during the 18/19 season, and the addition of either player is likely to signal the end of Lonzo Ball's time in Los Angeles.

Tyreke Evans faces a two-year ban from the NBA

Tyreke Evans' future in the NBA is in doubt

Tyreke Evans played 69 games for the Indiana Pacers this season, averaging 10.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. However, over the weekend, the NBA issued the following statement:

Tyreke Evans has been dismissed and disqualified from the league for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.

Under the Anti-Drug Program, Evans is eligible to apply for reinstatement in two years.

The NBA, NBA teams, and the Players Association are prohibited from publicly disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any NBA player under the Anti-Drug Program, other than to announce a player’s suspension or dismissal from the league.

Evans was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the 4th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and over his decade career, the 29-year-old has played in nearly 600 regular season games.

Teams are reportedly wary of signing Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is expected to exit the Celtics this summer

Many experts around the NBA believe that Kyrie Irving has played his last game for the Boston Celtics. The 27-year-old will hit free agency this summer and Irving has failed to commit his future to the team he was traded to in 2017.

The All-Star is expected to attract the interest of a number of teams around the NBA, although the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett is reporting that teams are having second thoughts about adding the former Cavs man:

The most interesting bit of information from several sources that we’ve been able to consolidate and confirm is that some teams thought to have interest in Irving as a free agent are now a great deal more wary. Based on the way things played out with the Celtics this season and Irving’s role both off the court all year and on it in the playoff loss to Milwaukee, certain clubs are concerned about putting too many eggs in his basket right away.

Irving has been strongly linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Knicks.