NBA Trades: 3 Kyrie Irving alternatives for the Los Angeles Lakers
By Cal Durrett
With news that the Brooklyn Nets will keep Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Los Angeles Lakers will need to change course. Irving was widely viewed as the team’s main trade target, but now they’ve got to pivot and find other ways to improve the team.
That won’t be easy, considering they’ll have to find a taker for Russell Westbrook and his huge $47 million contract. The Los Angeles Lakers have appeared unwilling at times to give up their only two remaining tradeable first-round picks to make that happen.
That doesn’t appear to be the case now, especially after LeBron James agreed to a contract extension with the team. Losing out on Irving, who was certainly the most talented player in the team’s price range, hurts. Having said that, there are still a few alternatives available that could improve the team next season.
Alternative #1: The Los Angeles Lakers keep Russell Westbrook
Keeping Westbrook, at this point, seems highly unlikely, but the Los Angeles Lakers should strongly consider it. For all his flaws, Westbrook is more talented than just about any player that they can trade him for. He didn’t usually play like that last season, but most teams wouldn’t just give up on a nine-time all-star and former league MVP after only one season.
In fact, most would figure out ways to better incorporate that player into their offense and give a new coach the opportunity to see what he can do with him. For all we know, he will play much better next season simply because his worst tendencies are reigned in. After all, a healthy James, Anthony Davis, and a decent Westbrook are still better than what most teams can trot out on a nightly basis.
Moreover, they can tweak around the fringes in hopes of finding players that can better complement their core. They just acquired Patrick Beverly, who should help their defense and can knock down open shots while they can sort through the remaining free agent bin for bargains, including former Laker Dennis Schroder.
The Lakers probably won’t contend next season, but they could return to the playoffs without sacrificing their future since they’d keep their remaining first-round picks and Westbrook’s contract would expire after next season. That’s one alternative to Irving, at least.