NBA free agency: 3 players the Lakers can add to convince LeBron not to retire

2. Kyrie Irving

The Lakers have been a hotbed for Kyrie Irving rumors ever since he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February. While Dallas no doubt wants to keep Irving around, the controversial point guard is an unrestricted free agent who is free to go wherever he chooses. His repaired relationship with LeBron in the aftermath of a messy falling out in Cleveland has been well-publicized in recent years.

James won the championship with Irving in 2016. Those two reached the mountaintop together and there’s reason to believe they could do it again. James is no longer the top-1 player of old, but he’s still a dominant offensive force who can compromise a defense from anywhere on the court. The Lakers also employ Anthony Davis, the best defensive player of the 2023 playoffs.

Few trios would possess more raw talent than James, Irving, and Davis. It also happens to be a virtually seamless fit. Irving is equally deadly with or without the ball. He cuts and relocates willingly and his chemistry with James in Cleveland (at least on the court) was never in doubt. Davis would benefit from adding another halfcourt playmaker of Irving’s caliber.

The Lakers don’t have the cap space to sign Irving outright, meaning the move would require a sign-and-trade. That could be difficult, especially if Irving demands max or near-max money. The Lakers enter the summer with limited assets, but there’s a non-zero chance Irving takes a pay cut to play with James — or simply because no team is willing to shell out long-term max money to a player with Irving’s track record of off-court incidents.