As time goes by this offseason, the chances of the Los Angeles Lakers landing Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving in a trade for Russell Westbrook seem to slowly improve.
At first, it seemed there was only an outside chance of it happening, and when Irving opted into the last year of his contract days ago, many thought the chances had hit zero.
But the two teams started talks again, and now those talks have reportedly ramped up and even gotten serious.
Via Yahoo Sports:
“The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are actively engaged in discussions on a trade package that would send star point guard Russell Westbrook to Brooklyn in exchange for star point guard Kyrie Irving, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
“There’s palpable optimism that an agreement can be struck between the two sides this offseason, but there remain a few hurdles, sources said.”
For months, Lakers fans have dreamed of unloading Westbrook, and the team reportedly tried to trade him prior to the trading deadline of last season.
Earlier in the offseason, the market for Westbrook looked tepid, with perhaps the Charlotte Hornets being the only serious suitor.
But the possibility of essentially swapping him for Irving, who is one of the league’s best and most skilled players, has opened up what could be a dream scenario for the Purple and Gold.