5 moves the Los Angeles Lakers can make to turn season around

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with the media during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 26, 2022 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets. (John Fisher/Getty Images) /

2. Trade for Kyrie Irving

Okay, this might be a far too controversial move for the Lakers to make. The difficulties with Irving and New York’s vaccine policy was one issue, but the recent antisemitic tweets added an entirely new level of controversy. Still, LeBron James was the first in line over the summer, pleading with the Lakers’ ownership to make a deal that reunited Irving with James — an effort to recapture some of the magic the two shared that led to a Cleveland Cavaliers championship.

Though this deal would be far more problematic from a PR standpoint, it’s possible that Kyrie comes at a discount at this point. The Brooklyn Nets organization, along with Kevin Durant appear fed up with Irving’s stunts and might be willing to trade him for less than his value from the summer months.

But the Nets, if they were to pursue this course of action, would probably be looking to blow up the entire franchise and start over. It’s unlikely they’d want Russell Westbrook under that circumstance, so it’d have to involve some additional picks. Then we’re right back at the same problem of the Lakers and the future of the organization.

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