NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 targets for the Los Angeles Lakers

1. Kyrie Irving, PG (Player Option)

When Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers and ultimately ended up with the Boston Celtics, it felt like a reunion with LeBron James was the most far-fetched of possibilities. A couple of years removed from that trade and with James now suiting up for the Lakers and with Irving likely heading out from Boston unceremoniously, the two players teaming up once again appears to be in the cards.

There’s no question that Irving has rubbed plenty of people the wrong way in recent years, James and the Cavaliers included, which will weigh heavily into any decision that L.A. or another team makes regarding bringing him in. Even so, there’s no denying what Irving is capable of and, in the same vein, what he and James accomplished at their peak can’t be ignored.

When they were clicking together, James and Irving can play off one another so incredibly well. James’ ability to handle the ball and penetrate opens up good looks on the outside for Irving as a shooter. Likewise, Irving’s ball-handling and slashing ability opens up the lane for James to cut to the rim in open lanes and get easy buckets. Add Davis to that mix and they would appear to be darn near unstoppable.

Irving would obviously be a max player if the Lakers were to sign him, making filling out the rest of the roster quite an adventure. Moreover, another adventure would be the simple chemistry experiment of adding Irving to the locker room. Even still, the prospect of having James, Davis and Irving on the floor together is far too enticing for Los Angeles to ignore.