Kyrie Irving Drops Decision on Possibly Joining Lakers Amid Rumors

Kyrie Irving was linked to the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the entire season. Many thought that the Brooklyn Nets veteran will leave the team and go to LA. Teaming up with LeBron James seemed like a good scenario.

There’s an update on Irving’s situation with the Nets. According to Shams Charania from The Athletic, LeBron’s former teammate is opting into the final season of his deal with the Nets. He will earn $36.3 in the upcoming season. NBA experts believe that Irving will play next season.

“Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is opting into his $37 million player option for the 2022-23 season, @TheAthletic @Stadium has learned,” Charania tweeted on June 27, 2022. “Irving is bypassing on multiple opt-in and trade scenarios to fulfill his four-year commitment to the Nets and Kevin Durant.”

Kyrie Irving won’t join the Lakers next season

Rob Pelinka and the Lakers front office should stop even thinking about Irving’s potential arrival in Los Angeles. Irving won’t join the Lakers in the near future. He will enter free agency in 2023. Just like LeBron.

“Normal people keep the world going, but those who dare to be different lead us into tomorrow,” Irving told The Athletic. “I’ve made my decision to opt in. See you in the fall. A11even.”

Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN believes that the Nets and Irving made this decision because they couldn’t find a trade partner.

“Without the ability to find a sign-and-trade deal, Kyrie Irving plans to exercise his $36M player option for next season and return to the Nets, sources confirm,” Wojnarowski detailed on Twitter.

Los Angeles showed interest in Irving and fans wanted to see him join LeBron. Wojnarowski has already discussed the potential trade involving Irving and the Lakers.

“Outside of the Los Angeles Lakers, there are currently no known teams planning to pursue sign-and-trade deals for Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, sources told ESPN,” Wojnarowski wrote on June 27. “Irving needs a trade partner to coordinate an agreement on a deal to get a long-term, maximum contract, but only the Lakers have interest in executing a sign-and-trade once free agency opens on Thursday night, sources said. So far, the Nets have no interest in taking back the available Lakers packages, sources said.”