NBA Rumors: Woj Bomb—Lakers Are "Most Significant Threat" To Land Kyrie Irving

As the stalemate between the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving continues around his contract talks, NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has named the Los Angeles Lakers as "the most significant threat" to land Kyrie Irving if he leaves Brooklyn.

"The Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving, but that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn."@wojespn on Kyrie Irving's trade/contract situation.

(via @_Talkin_NBA)
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 22, 2022

"The Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving, but that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn."

Kyrie would have to decline his $36M option with the Nets, then sign a $6M taxpayer mid-level exception with the Lakers.  

Would any player in their right mind give up that kind of money? Well, when it comes to Kyrie, Woj notes that Irving has made some... odd decisions before that have cost him plenty of cash. 

"Kyrie Irving gave up nearly $17M last year because of his refusal to get vaccinated, (and he also) is in the process of losing a significant shoe deal with Nike," says Wojnarowski. "It's possible he could walk. He has done things differently in his career."

Yes, he has indeed. And with a June 29 deadline to pick up his option, his decision in the next week could send shockwaves throughout the league. 

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports