Lakers Offered 1 of their Big 3 Stars But Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn Nets Refused to Trade Kyrie Irving

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful teams in the league. After a dismal season from the Lakers, the fans are expecting some improvements in the roster. And the front office is also in search of a head coach after firing Frank Vogel. Even before the off-season, the rumors of possible additions have started.

Recently there was a rumor coming out about Kyrie Irving being traded to the LA Lakers. It was reported that the Lakers’ front office was looking to trade for Kyrie Irving when he was away from the team because of COVID-19 protocols. 

Mar 26, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) walks up the court during the second half against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

And it was reported that the Lakers were probably offering Russell Westbrook to the Nets in exchange for Kyrie Irving. It would have made for a very interesting prospect. Kyrie Irving would have been reunited with LeBron James. And Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Kevin Durant would have played together like the OKC Thunder days.

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Kyrie Irving with LeBron James

After winning two NBA championships with the Heat, LeBron James returned to the Cavaliers in 2014-15. Kyrie Irving was drafted #1 overall in 2011 by the Cavaliers. And LeBron teamed up with Kyrie Irving.

In their first-ever season together, they reached the finals against the Warriors. Irving was only available for 1 game due to injury. And the Warriors won the finals 4-2. LeBron James was the playoffs scoring leader with 601 points and assists leader with 169.

In 2015-16, the Cavs reached the finals again to meet the 73-win Golden State Warriors. In a final for the ages, the Warriors took a 3-1 lead. But the Cavaliers didn’t give up and won the next 3 games to win the title. And LeBron was named finals MVP.

The next year saw the previous year’s finalists lock horns again. But this time, the already stacked-up Warriors also had Kevin Durant. And the Warriors won the final 4-1 against the Cavaliers.

In 2016-17 the Cavaliers again met the Warriors in the finals. This time, though, it was a sweep, as LeBron, Kyrie and the Cavaliers didn’t win a game. Then Kyrie requested a trade, and the Cavaliers traded him to the Boston Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and draft picks.

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And there were reports about Kyrie’s trade request stating that he wanted to be more of a focal point for a team and didn’t want to play with LeBron anymore.

Ever since leaving, Kyrie hasn’t got any good things to say about James, too. So a reunion of LeBron and Kyrie would have been awkward to start with.

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