Report: One Big Market Appears OUT on Kyrie Irving In Free Agency

There was all sorts of buzz around the trade deadline that the Los Angeles Lakers did all they could to try to land Kyrie Irving, at LeBron's request. But "when it got to the point that Brooklyn was basically asking for every tradeable asset, they felt it was too much, given all the uncertainty that comes with Kyrie and the way things have played out the last few years," as per Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha of The Athletic. 

And now, says Buha, in conversations with Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, that Kyrie interest is gone altogether from LA.

From what I’ve been told, they’re not going to be pursuing Kyrie Irving this offseason… To my knowledge and to what I’ve been told, the Kyrie ship, I think, has sailed. You never want to say never. That could easily change, but as of right now, their plan is to run this (team) back.

According Buha, the front office has liked what they've seen on this newly-constituted roster so much, they want to just run it back, as is. Kyrie is not in that equation. 

Irving was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks at the deadline, to team up with superstar Luka Doncic. Thus far, that pairing hasn't been paying many dividends, and there's no telling what happens after the season when Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent. 

What are the teams that will be willing to take on all of the baggage that Kyrie brings with him, for a max-type contract that Irving will be demanding? It should be one of the most intriguing storylines of the summer. 

But from the latest reports, expect the Lakers to sit this one out. 

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