Los Angeles Lakers: Signing Kyrie Irving opens fun trade doors

The New York Knicks are not the only team tied to Kyrie Ireving this summer as the Los Angeles Lakers are also in the rumor mill for Uncle Drew.

The Los Angeles Lakers front office is going to do everything in its power to secure a second superstar this summer. This is the promise that Laker fans have been waiting for over the last two years and failing to come through is going to bring even more dissatisfaction towards the organization.

Fans are already getting frustrated with how big of a circus the organization has felt like recently with internal problems boiling over to the mainstream. All in all, this superstar is immensely important to the front office as it can bay the criticism and save face.

But what if I told you that the Los Angeles Lakers could not just add one superstar this summer, but that the team could add two huge names to create a new big three?

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That is possible if the team is able to sign Kyrie Irving, someone who has worn out his stay in Boston and already has connections to the Lakers.

Aside from the LeBron James connection that was talked about during the season, new reports have emerged about Irving’s potential feelings this summer. Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Irving is more open to joining the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.

That is huge news as it has felt like none of the marquee stars want to come to the Lakers. Actually having a star that prefers LA is a huge win for the Lakers and one that the team will likely jump on.

But how does that affect the rest of the roster? The team already has its point guard in Lonzo Ball and while a backcourt of Ball and Irving could work, it will be an unorthodox fit that might just hinder Ball’s development.

What signing Irving does is open up a trade for another superstar, as long as Irving is as committed to winning as he says and takes a very small pay cut.

According to Spotrac, the Los Angeles Lakers have $41.7 million in practical cap space. Anthony Davis, who is the NBA’s biggest trade chip this summer, is making just over $27 million next season.

Signing Irving makes it easier to trade the young core for Davis and actually be happy with the future of the team. Without Irving, the Lakers could trade for Davis but then would have to figure out the rest of the roster, hoping some impact role players can fit under a budget.

However, Irving, LeBron and Davis are obviously good enough to carry a team to a title alone and the rest of the pieces would just have to be complimentary. Let’s say the Lakers trade Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Moritz Wagner, the 2019 fourth-round pick and a future unprotected first for Davis (the goal being to hold onto Kyle Kuzma).

The Lakers would we sending out $18 million in salary and bringing in $27 million. Some basic math and we can see the Lakers would still have $32.7 million in practical cap space. It might not be a max deal, but Irving can still sign a hefty contract that starts in the $28-30 million range.

If Kuzma can be left out, which is possible as that package will be hard to match in upon itself, that gives the Los Angeles Lakers a projected starting five of Irving, Josh Hart, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and Anthony Davis.

The bench would need some work but the Lakers could bring in some veteran minimum guys to help. JaVale McGee would be a nice signing as a backup center and guys like Jamal Crawford and Jose Barea could be targeted.

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The team is allowed to go over the salary cap on veteran minimum deals, so the team can easily bring in three-four veteran free agents to fill out the roster.

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