NBA Rumors: LA Clippers' Tyronn Lue keen on reuniting with Kyrie Irving

Current LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue and wantaway Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving won a championship together in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They could attempt to do the same in Los Angeles if the Clippers can trade for the mercurial point guard.

Irving, just a few days ago, asked the Nets to trade him after failing to reach an agreement regarding a contract extension. “Uncle Drew” has been rumored to be interested in playing in Hollywood since the offseason. Instead of the Lakers, it could be their rivals who could get him.

Per Law Murray on the latest about Kyrie Irving’s potential move away from Brooklyn:

“Sources tell @TheAthletic that the LA Clippers have made a strong offer to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving, and that head coach Tyronn Lue is open to coaching Irving again after the two won a championship with Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.”

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Part of the LA Clippers’ struggles this season has been the play of their point guards. John Wall has played beyond expectations after sitting out last year but has been inconsistent. He is averaging 11.4 points per game, but his 30.3% clip from deep has caused some problems for Tyronn Lue to figure out.

Reggie Jackson, who has been the team’s primary starting point guard, hasn’t been playing well, either. His 16.8 points and 4.8 assists per contest last season has dropped to 10.9 PPG and 3.6 APG.

Point guard play has gotten so inconsistent that Lue even had Terance Mann start in 30 games. LA’s energy and hustle usually perks up when he’s on the floor. He’s averaging 8.5 points and 2.1 assists in nearly 23 minutes of action.

Kyrie Irving will upgrade the backcourt, which will only make the LA Clippers even more formidable. Irving’s value, of course, is always somewhat risky due to his numerous off-court issues, the latest of which caused an eight-game suspension.

LA Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard reportedly asked the front office to look at the possibility of getting former teammates Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry. It’s an indictment of how badly the Clippers need to get more out of their playmakers.

LA Clippers have assets to trade for Kyrie Irving

The LA Clippers can offer an intriguing package of several players that could entice the Brooklyn Nets to let go of Kyrie Irving. [photo: Sportsnaut]

Kyrie Irving could walk away as an unrestricted free agent if the Brooklyn Nets can’t trade him. If Irving’s heart and head are somewhere else, moving him for players and/or assets might be their best option.

Here’s Brian Windhorst on what the LA Clippers could offer the Nets:

“The Clippers have assets that the Nets might actually want. They have players under contract, under control that if you trade it, it might actually get the Nets more interested than an expiring Russell Westbrook contract.

"I don’t think that the Lakers can honestly give those second-round picks for Kyrie Irving if he’s a possible rental.”

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The LA Clippers don’t have a first-round pick until 2027 but they have players who can make up for those. Norman Powell, Luke Kennard, Reggie Jackson and Robert Covington might be enough to entice the Nets to let go of Irving.