Insider Delivers Strong Message on Lakers Blockbuster Trade Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to several players this offseason. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was advised to trade Russell Westbrook and there have been too many blockbuster trade rumors lately. One of these rumors includes Westbrook.

The nine-time All-Star arrived in Los Angeles as a third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, Westbrook failed to meet expectations. The Lakers had a chance to trade Westbrook to the Houston Texans in February, but Pelinka had to give up on a first-round pick. The Lakers contacted the Indiana Pacers, offering Westbrook and Talen Horton-Tucker, but Indiana turned down the offer.

What about Kyrie Irving?

Lakers may not pull out blockbuster trade, experts shut down rumors

The Brooklyn Nets have a little situation right now. Several sources suggest that the team will probably trade Irving. Trading Irving will push Kevin Durant away from the team.

Brian Windhorst from ESPN isn’t buying this trade thing. He believes that the Nets will actually give Irving a nice deal and keep him around in the next few seasons.

“As I’m already seeing people suggest trades, you have to realize that No. 1, the Nets have Ben Simmons as their point guard and he’s coming off surgery and the assumption is he will be able to play,” Windhorst explained during a June 21 episode of “The Hoop Collective” podcast. “…That means that they have a point guard on their roster already who isn’t a good shooter, so, No. 1 you have to keep that in mind. No. 2, they have Kevin Durant on their team. Kevin Durant expects to compete for championships, so if the core of what you think you’re trading to the Nets is like future draft picks, I’m not sure that’s going to get it done, because then you could have Kevin Durant saying, ‘What are we doing here?’ And then you have Kevin Durant asking for a trade.

“I’m saying that mostly for the folks who are like, ‘Trade Russell Westbrook and two first-round picks.’ Well, it does work in the trade machine, I’ll give you that, but Russell Westbrook doesn’t help the Nets and the two first-round picks might be nice in three years, but they don’t have much value now, at least for a player that can help them.”

Nets veteran to make a decision

Irving heard all the comments about his potential trade, too. His cryptic message fired up fans. What does it mean?

Irving and LeBron James have a history together. They won a lot of games in Cleveland, but Irving wanted to coach his own team and joined the Boston Celtics. Now he is in Brooklyn, but this story may not end the way everyone hopes.