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Odds Say Kyrie Irving Trade to Lakers a Near Certainty

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NBA Basketball

Updated Jul 4, 2022 · 11:57 AM PDT

Kyrie Irving
Apr 25, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) controls the ball against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the second quarter of game four of the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
  • The Lakers have emerged as a sizeable favorite to trade for Kyrie Irving
  • Irving is under contract for one more season with Brooklyn but recently asked for a trade
  • Read below for odds and analysis on the most likely team to make a move for Irving

Kyrie Irving couldn’t wait to get away from LeBron James following the 2017 season. Now five years later, it appears like the former teammates are soon to be reunited.

That’s because Irving has requested a trade out of Brooklyn, and James wants the Lakers to be all-in on acquiring the controversial superstar.

Los Angeles’ odds to trade for Kyrie have been shortened from +100 to -400 since just last week after LeBron made it clear to the organization he wants to see his old friend in LA.

Kyrie Irving’s Next Team Odds

Team Odds
LA Lakers -400
Brooklyn Nets +600
Dallas Mavericks +1200
Philadelphia 76ers +1500
Miami Heat +1500
New York Knicks +1600
Minnesota Timberwolves +1800
Chicago Bulls +1800
Utah Jaz +2000
Phoenix Suns +2000
LA Clippers +2000
Portland Trail Blazers +3000
New Orleans Pelicans +3000
Toronto Raptors +3500
Indiana Pacers +4000
Denver Nuggets +4000
Washington Wizards +5000
Sacramento Kings +5000
San Antonio Spurs +5000
Milwaukee Bucks +5000
Oklahoma City Thunder +6000
Memphis Grizzlies +6000
Detroit Pistons +6000
Houston Rockets +6000
Golden State Warriors +6000
Cleveland Cavaliers +6000
Atlanta Hawks +6000
Orlando Magic +7000
Boston Celtics +8000

Odds as of July 4th at DraftKings Sportsbook

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The initial Irving to the Lakers speculation caused oddsmakers to slash LA’s championship price tag, and if further news emerges suggesting a deal is imminent, you can expect the Lakers’ NBA Championship odds to be shortened yet again.

Why the New Steam on LA?

Preliminary talks reportedly took place between the Nets and Lakers on Saturday on a potential Irving trade. The centerpiece heading back to Brooklyn would be Russell Westbrook, who LA is dying to get rid of. A potential Irving for Westbrook swap doesn’t work money-wise as Russ’ $47 million price tag for next year is $10 million more than Kyrie’s.

The Nets are insistent on not only draft capital in return but also for the Lakers to absorb Joe Harris’ contract. Harris is due $38.6 million over the next two seasons, while LA is reportedly more interested in taking on Seth Curry’s $8.5 million contract.

To add fuel to the fire, Irving just bought a house in Los Angeles and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss has all of a sudden started posting cryptic tweets. The posts revolve around not only the loss of Kobe Bryant but her frustration over the team’s lack of success.

Above all else, however, is LeBron’s now public desire to bring Kyrie to LA. As we’ve seen time and time again during James’ career when the King speaks his wishes are usually met.

Just last year, he convinced the Lakers to acquire Russell Westbrook instead of a much younger, cheaper Buddy Hield. While in Cleveland, he basically operated as the GM, influencing the Cavs’ decision to trade number one overall pick Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love less than a month after the Canadian was drafted.

It’s important to note that no trade between Brooklyn and LA is imminent, although history has proven LeBron tends to get what he wants.

What Other Teams are in Play for Kyrie

Now that LeBron has made his opinion known, it’s unlikely Kyrie ends up anywhere else than LA. They can make the financials work with Brooklyn, and will likely cave and take on whoever else the Nets want.

However, another team to monitor is Dallas. The Mavs just parted ways with point guard Jalen Brunson, and while Spencer Dinwiddie is the next man up, Irving would be a massive upgrade.

Dallas was a top-four team in the West last year and the opportunity to play alongside Luka Doncic must be appealing for virtually every superstar. Since Irving already opted into his 2022-23 salary, the Mavs don’t have to worry about a sign-and-trade for Kyrie, they just have to send back enough salary the other way to make the financials work.

Dallas has reportedly already explored the possibility and the fact that they currently boast the third shortest price to acquire Irving suggests they are serious. Doncic and LeBron play a similar brand of ball and Irving and James won a title with Cleveland back in 2017.

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