Slight divide within Lakers: LeBron James wants Kyrie Irving, Lakers want Myles Turner/Buddy Hield?

The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have held preliminary discussions on a Kyrie Irving trade, and sources indicate the teams are exploring the potential of pulling the San Antonio Spurs into a multi-team deal. -via Bleacher Report / July 8, 2022

The Lakers, who sources indicated are interested in moving out of Russell Westbrook into Irving, may need to be patient. Westbrook’s $47.1 million expiring contract isn’t appealing to the Nets, who currently project to be above the league’s $150.3 million luxury tax threshold. -via Bleacher Report / July 8, 2022

League sources stressed that Brooklyn views resolving Kevin Durant’s trade request as a significantly higher priority than clearing Irving’s final $36.9 million of the Nets’ books. -via Bleacher Report / July 8, 2022

“We do have Adam Silver on record saying players have to honor their contracts. And we do see two organizations shoving back on their stars, potentially to the detriment to their championship hopes. “And we’re monitoring the Lakers. We’re monitoring the Lakers.” “Brian, what you’re telling me is something is happening in Los Angeles,” replied Pablo Torre. Windhorst goes on to allude to how LeBron James is pushing for the Lakers to trade for Kyrie Irving, and there could be consequences should a deal not be executed. “Definitely Brooklyn, definitely Utah, and we have the L.A. Lakers on the watch list for pushing back on players guiding so much of what’s going on,” said Windhorst. -via RealGM / July 8, 2022

Brian Widnhorst: While the team’s front office may have reservations about parting ways with more future picks, Lakers superstar LeBron James reportedly doesn’t have the slightest concern. NBA insider Brian Windhorst broke down James’ thoughts on the matter during a recent television appearance. “I can’t articulate how little LeBron cares about the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick,” he said, spurring hearty chuckles from his fellow pundits. “He’s never cared about first-round draft picks. He doesn’t care about first-round draft picks when they’re on his team. He wants to win tonight, and Kyrie Irving gives him a chance tonight.” -via Lakers Daily / July 8, 2022

Magic Johnson: With these free agent signings, the @Los Angeles Lakers have become younger and more athletic! I’m excited about the signing of Thomas Bryant. With his ability to shoot the 3, he will create more space for LeBron and AD. -via Twitter @MagicJohnson / July 7, 2022

As Indiana continues to take calls for Malcolm Brogdon and Myles Turner, the Lakers have circled back to a familiar target: Buddy Hield. -via Action Network / June 29, 2022

The Pacers are building around Tyrese Haliburton, but rival teams expect them to be open to trade conversations around Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield this offseason. Hield has two years and $40.4 million remaining on his deal while Brogdon has three years and nearly $68 million. If Indiana wants to shed future salary, could it view the Lakers and Westbrook’s expiring deal as a match? -via The Athletic / April 11, 2022

Another option that could (stress: could) present itself provided the Pacers like the idea: The Lakers have a well-documented interest in Buddy Hield, who came to Indiana along with Haliburton in the Sabonis trade, and might well offer Russell Westbrook and his $47.1 million expiring contract for Hield and Brogdon. With the Pacers presumed to have no interest in Westbrook beyond his expiring salary, such a swap figures to hinge on what sort of draft compensation the Lakers would be willing to furnish to sweeten the deal for the Pacers to participate and then (we can only imagine) part ways with Westbrook. -via marcstein.substack.com / April 9, 2022

In his newest podcast, the ESPN NBA reporter discusses potential trades and free agent moves (mostly involving the Brooklyn Nets), but Myles Turner’s name pops up at about the 45-minute mark. The Indiana Pacers big man has been the subject of trade speculation for years, so Windhorst adds a disclaimer (“I’m trying to wiggle out of aggregation here”), but Windhorst added: “There’s a good chance he’s not going to be a Pacer next year.” -via Indianapolis Star / July 8, 2022

Pacers center Myles Turner has not generated significant traction on the trade market this offseason, sources said. A theoretical trade return of Turner, multiple Suns wings and draft capital still wouldn’t appear to satisfy the Nets, according to sources. -via Bleacher Report / July 6, 2022

James Boyd: #Pacers center Myles Turner attended #76ers co-owner Michael Rubin’s annual 4th of July White Party in the Hamptons last night. Event is always filled with stars, and Drake gave a shout out to the athletes who came. 🎥 via Turner’s IG story pic.twitter.com/aeEwGiS9TW -via Twitter @RomeovilleKid / July 4, 2022