NBA rumors: Kevin Durant trade could be Lakers’ saving grace

Kevin Durant’s trade request from the Nets could be the development that opens the door for the Lakers to land Kyrie Irving.

Kevin Durant opened the floodgates to trade speculation for himself and Kyrie Irving on Thursday when he asked for a trade away from Brooklyn.

Now, it looks like that whole idea of Irving teaming back up with LeBron James could be back on the table.

Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported on whispers from league sources about Irving and James both wanting to play together again even after the Nets guard opted into his player option.

Incredibly, it’s Durant’s trade request that makes the slim chance of that happening just a little more likely.

Kyrie Irving to the Lakers is more likely thanks to Kevin Durant trade request

“This gives the Lakers their best chance at Kyrie,” a team cap strategist said, per BR.

Basically, getting Irving to LA would mean the guard taking a massive pay cut while another team took care of Russell Westbrook and his huge $47.1 million salary. The Nets looked unlikely to be that team while Durant was there.

Before Durant requested his trade, there was just no realistic way for that to get worked out. Now, knowing they’re losing both of their superstars, the Nets could be convinced to work out a complex, multi-team trade deal that lands Irving in Los Angeles and sends Westbrook to Brooklyn.

Is it a likely outcome? Not at all. There are still a bunch of moving parts to sort out. Still, Irving and Durant will both be complicated to move. Suitors for the former probably won’t be lining up the way they will be for the latter. The Lakers could offer the best proposal for the Nets, who have to find some way to salvage the situation they are in.