The Los Angeles Lakers are believed to be only team with serious interest in pursuing Kyrie Irving last offseason when he explored sign-and-trade scenarios before opting into his contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
Even with the Lakers potentially offering Russell Westbrook and future draft picks, they wanted to acquire Irving on something short of a long-term, guaranteed contract.
“I think it speaks to what happened last summer when Brooklyn was resistant to giving Kyrie Irving a long-term, guaranteed contract,” said Adrian Wojnarowski. “So were the Lakers in a sign-and-trade scenario with Brooklyn.
“I think for Kyrie Irving, these were the questions that put him in this situation where he was in the final year of his deal. I don’t think there’s anything happened so far on or especially off the court that’s going to bring anybody more comfort with committing to Kyrie Irving on a long-term contract that leaves the organization without the flexibility to move out from under it it.
“Kyrie Irving is back right where he was this summer, which is having to prove himself. Prove that he can be trusted. Prove that he’s be a good faith partner for an NBA team, whether it’s Brooklyn or elsewhere in the league.
