Report: Kyrie Irving has interest in joining Lakers

Could Kyrie Irving be ready to reunite with LeBron James? That seems like a possibility.

Both Irving’s Boston Celtics and James’ Los Angeles Lakers have seen their seasons end well before they would have liked. The Lakers didn’t even make the playoffs, while the Celtics underachieved in the regular season and lost in five to the Milwaukee Bucks in the conference semifinals. The disappointing finishes for both squads may convince them that the best place for each of them is teaming up.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst talked on his “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast Friday and said that Irving has interest in playing for the Lakers (14:00 minute mark).

“As time passes here, I would’ve said that this is impossible for many months. But as time passes here and as the possibility exists that Jason Kidd could be hired as the Lakers coach, I think the possibility of Kyrie and LeBron reuniting — that door, which was deadbolted, has been un-deadbolted and has now been cracked open … It might even be opening more by the day. And I say that just because I think it’s on Kyrie’s radar, it’s on Kyrie’s board. He has had discussions with people about playing for the Lakers,” Windhorst said.

Just like Windhorst said, the thought of Kyrie wanting to play with LeBron again seemed far-fetched considering he demanded a trade out of Cleveland to get away from James’ shadow. But a year trying to lead on his own in Boston, seeing how hard it is, and taking all the heat as the lead dog may have changed Irving’s mind; it’s a lot harder than it seems. Irving even seemed to recognize that earlier this year and called LeBron to apologize for not understanding how tough it was to lead.

Irving can decline his player option for next season and become a free agent this summer, which he is widely expected to do. James is under contract for three more seasons with the Lakers, including his $41 million player option for 2021-2022.

The Lakers becoming a reincarnation of the Cavaliers would be complete if they didn’t botch the hire of Ty Lue.