The Los Angeles Lakers roster could look different after the Feb. 9th trade deadline.
The Lakers are reportedly interested in acquiring disgruntled Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving.
The Lakers, along with the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, are “particularly expected” to pursue Irving, league sources told Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The report also noted that the Nets “could very well decide to keep Irving beyond the deadline.”
If the Lakers make a move for Irving, then Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (seen above on Jan. 30) would most likely be part of the project. But the Lakers are “reluctant” to offer their 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.
The Lakers would reportedly like to keep their second first-round selection to include with another piece, like swingman Patrick Beverley and Lonnie Walker‘s salaries, for another piece to the roster like Detroit Pistons guard Bojan Bogdanovic.
The Lakers, according to the report, have also “held conversations” with the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets as a possible destination for Westbrook, who is in the final year of his contract and being paid $47 million.
Westbrook is averaging 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 41.2 percent shooting from the field.
Westbrook started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, then spent stints with the Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards before landing in Los Angeles.
Only time will tell if the Lakers move on from him.
[Yahoo; photo from Brad Penner/USA Today Sports]
