Here we go again: Lakers could have Kyrie Irving trade stolen out from under them by rival

The Lakers are considered favorites to land Kyrie Irving in a trade but the Clippers have now entered the fray which may give fans flashbacks to Chris Paul.

Remember that time the Lakers were going to trade for Chris Paul, then the NBA decided he’d go to the Clippers instead?

Lakers fans remember.

That’s why the last thing Lakers fans wanted to hear on Saturday was news that the Clippers have “made a strong offer” for Irving, per Law Murray of The Athletic. Doubly so since the idea of Steve Balmer’s team making a run at the Nets star was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Clippers look like a legitimate threat to beat Lakers to Kyrie Irving trade

The Clippers need a point guard as they look to make a run with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George healthy at the same time. Leonard has reportedly pushed for an upgrade at the position.

Irving has familiarity with head coach Tyron Lue, who coached him both as an assistant and head coach during his time in Cleveland.

At this point, the Lakers have to include Russell Westbrook in a deal for Irving. If the Nets don’t want Westbrook, or want more than LA is willing to give, then the Clippers are an intriguing alternative to work with instead. Either way, Irving could come to Los Angeles to play for a team with title aspiration. The question is whether he’ll end up alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis or Leonard and George.

Brian Windhorst raised a question about whether the Clippers would be willing to upset the balance of their roster to add Irving, but he also noted the biggest plus in their corner: They have more of what the Nets want.

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“They have players under contract, under control, that if you traded might actually get the Nets more interested than an expiring Russell Westbrook contract,” Windhorst said.

Someone in Los Angeles looks likely to add Irving. The next week is going to be wild.