Getty Image / Kevork Djansezian
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing elimination from the NBA Playoffs right now after falling 0-3 in the series against the Denver Nuggets.
Technically, there is still a chance they come back with a four game win-streak. However, no team in league history has come back down from 0-3.
For that reason, speculation about what LA is going to do this offseason is beginning to heat up. And it sounds like Kyrie Irving-Lakers rumors are being reignited.
According to Brian Windhorst, Irving is “ready to come to the Lakers.” But before that happens, Los Angeles needs to make some decisions with a couple of players already on the roster.
Here is Windhorst breaking down the potential interest between Kyrie Irving and the Lakers.
“The Lakers can get Kyrie this summer and retain Austin Reaves … the way this series is ending the more likely it becomes … Kyrie is ready to come to the Lakers.” – @WindhorstESPN
No mention of Rui but Reaves is obv. priority if both not attainable.
— 🦉 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) May 21, 2023
Windhorst makes it sound like LA will make it a priority to keep Austin Reaves. But the front office will need to ponder what to do with Rui Rui Hachimura as well.
Either way, the Lakers could seriously be in play for another superstar-caliber player. Especially if they end up losing to the Nuggets on Monday night.
It’s almost like LA can’t get over the hump these last few years. Perhaps reuniting LeBron James with Kyrie Irving is the way to go, despite anyone’s opinion on either player.
At the end of the day, the Lakers are a team tries to be a championship contender every single season. With that in mind, Windhorst could be very accurate with his speculation between Los Angeles and Irving.
Irving is set to hit free agency this offseason. However, the Dallas Mavericks will likely do everything possible to retain him.