Los Angeles Lakers: 5 dream targets during 2019 NBA free agency

4. Kyrie Irving, PG, Boston Celtics (Player Option)

Had this idea been brought up even a few weeks ago, it would have seemed asinine. There’s no way the Lakers were going to convince Kyrie Irving to join forces with LeBron again after the way things ended during their time together with the Cavaliers, right?

Well, that no longer appears to be the case. Instead, there’s this growing belief that Irving wouldn’t be opposed to a reunion with the King. According to Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher, the Boston Celtics point guard has a legitimate interest in becoming teammates with James yet again:

"While the news since last summer has been largely about stars not interested in being LeBron’s sidekick… a source close to the Celtics confirmed that Kyrie Irving is genuinely interested in reuniting with his former Cavaliers teammate. “That is for real,” the source said."

It seems crazy on the surface, but the belief is Irving has grown up a bit in the last couple of years. He even admitted to calling LeBron to apologize for his immaturity (via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps). It’s clear the two are trying to mend fences, which makes a potential rejoining of forces in Los Angeles far from farfetched.

Now there is one implication here we must consider. If Irving was signed, Lonzo Ball would take a clear backseat at the point guard spot. He already came into the 2018-19 campaign fighting Rajon Rondo for minutes. Irving would obviously supplant him atop the depth chart. In that case, it may be best to simply find a trade partner for the young point guard.

Either way, the idea of Irving inking a deal with the Lakers is a tantalizing one. It feels like a pipe dream despite the rumors, but it’s far more of a reality than most assume.