The Los Angeles Lakers are the "most significant threat" to land Kyrie Irving if he elects to leave the Brooklyn Nets this summer, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Irving holds a $36.5-million player option for the 2022-23 campaign but can decline it to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The seven-time All-Star is reportedly undecided on his future with the Nets ahead of the June 29 player option deadline.
However, the Lakers lack the cap flexibility to offer Irving anything close to his player option salary for next season. The $6-million taxpayer exemption is likely the best deal Los Angeles can bring to the table, according to Wojnarowski.
A move to the Lakers would reunite Irving with LeBron James. The duo led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their lone title in 2016.
The Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks have also been linked to Irving should the former No. 1 overall pick hit the open market.
Irving averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.4 boards, and 1.4 steals over 29 appearances last season.
