NBA Rumors: Kyrie Irving To Lakers, Terry Rozier To Nets In Suggested Three-Way Blockbuster Involving Hornets

The Lakers may have a limited salary cap space but if Irving expresses his desire to join them, they could engage in a sign-and-trade deal with the Nets in the 2022 NBA free agency. In a recent article, James Piercey of NBA Analysis Network came up with a hypothetical sign-and-trade scenario that would enable the Lakers to acquire Irving from the Nets. In the proposed three-way trade, the Lakers would get Irving, the Nets would receive Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward, and the Charlotte Hornets would obtain Russell Westbrook, Patty Mills, and a 2027 first-round pick.

The proposed blockbuster deal would make a lot of sense for the Lakers as it would allow them to replace Westbrook with an All-Star point guard who has experienced playing with James. Irving and James played together for the Cleveland Cavaliers for three seasons where they made three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and won an NBA championship title in 2016. Despite how things ended between them in Cleveland, Irving and James would definitely love the idea of teaming up again in the 2022-23 NBA season.

Despite his vaccination stance, Irving would still be an incredible acquisition for the Lakers. Aside from his history with James, Irving is also a much better point guard than Westbrook. Irving would give the Lakers a new starting point guard who can co-exist with other superstars and can efficiently knock down shots from beyond the arc. This season, he averaged 27.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 41.8 perfect from the three-point range.

When all of them are healthy, the trio of Irving, James, and Davis would undoubtedly make the Lakers the heavy favorite to fully dominate the Western Conference and capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy next year.

The proposed three-team trade would be worth exploring for the Nets, especially if they want to remain competitive next season. Instead of losing Irving in the 2023 NBA free agency without getting anything in return, the suggested deal would enable them to acquire two solid veteran role players who would help Kevin Durant carry the team. Rozier could immediately replace Irving as the Nets' new starting point guard, while Hayward could serve as the team's sixth man.

For the Hornets, the hypothetical blockbuster is about obtaining financial flexibility. Unlike Hayward and Rozier who still have more than one year left in their respective deals, Westbrook's contract is set to expire after the 2022-23 NBA season. Aside from creating salary cap space in the summer of 2023, the Hornets would also acquire a reliable backup for LaMelo Ball in Mills and a future first-round selection.