As the theories and ideas evolve around Brooklyn’s immediate future, Eric Pincus of Yahoo Sports reported that the Lakers are looking to work the Spurs into a three-team trade to acquire Kyrie Irving.
Irving has been linked to a Lakers move involving Russell Westbrook, but it seems unlikely that the Nets would want to take on Westbrook in a direct swap with Irving. Leading to the Lakers wanting to include the Spurs in any trade they negotiate with the Nets.
San Antonio traded away All-Star guard Dejounte Murray in exchange for multiple future picks; they also dealt away Derrick White to the Celtics in exchange for Josh Richardson. Jakob Poetl and Doug McDermott are also reportedly available for a trade as the Spurs look to move in a younger direction.
They also possess a plethora of draft picks, assets that the Nets would want in a deal like this.
Per Pincus, “League sources stressed that Brooklyn views resolving Kevin Durant’s trade request as a significantly higher priority than clearing Irving’s final $36.9 million of the Nets’ books.”
After trading Murray away to the Hawks, the Spurs seem to be headed towards a rebuild and are reportedly looking to offload some of their veterans to focus on developing their young players. Furthermore, the Spurs are likely eying 2023 NBA Draft prospect and potential No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.
The team also recently signed former Thunder forward Isaiah Roby.
The Nets are looking to resolve the Durant situation before moving Irving, and the Lakers are looking to do the same for Westbrook, but neither team will swap straight up. San Antonio holds the key to all of this.
