"Bron finna slide him some bread, let’s rocc", "Bron getting Kyrie his Nike deal back to offset lost salary he'll take with MLE" - Fans post rib-tickling reactions to news of Kyrie Irving potentially agreeing on an MLE with LA Lakers

NBA rumors suggest the LA Lakers are the favorites to land Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving. The Lakers don't have the cap space to sign Irving if he opts out of his $36 million player option. However, they do have a $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski recently suggested that Irving wouldn't mind accepting a $30 million pay cut next season.

He said on "The Woj Pod" (H/T Hoop Central):

"The Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving. But that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn.

"There's a $6 million taxpayer exemption he could sign for the Lakers with."

Wojnarowski said Irving lost up to $17 million in earnings because he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The All-Star guard could also lose a shoe deal with Nike. This indicates that losing a significant sum of money won't stop him from joining the LA Lakers.

Several fans found it difficult to accept that the former NBA champion would give up that kind of money. They responded to Wojnarowski's report with hilarious reactions on Twitter.

One user wrote:

"Bron finna slide him some bread, let’s rocc"

Another said:

"Bron getting Kyrie his Nike deal back to offset the lost salary he'll take with the MLE"

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Kyrie Irving signing a $6 million TMLE with LA Lakers is the only way he can reunite with LeBron James, but it's not realistic

If Irving departs Brooklyn as a free agent, the Lakers can only sign him by offering him the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception (TMLE).

Some may assume that Irving wouldn't mind taking a pay cut for another season. He has played with LeBron James and won a title, so the LA Lakers would become instant contenders if a deal does go through. However, it is still an unrealistic scenario.

The Brooklyn Nets could still offer him the best contract. Other teams with cap space are rebuilding, and Irving is unlikely to feature in their plans.

Moreover, the Nets have tied Kevin Durant to a long-term contract, hoping to secure a championship soon. It is widely speculated that Durant would leave the franchise if Irving departs. So Brooklyn may offer Irving a max deal and continue to pursue their first-ever title.