If the Los Angeles Lakers lose LeBron James in free agency this offseason, they will have to replace a number of high-level skill sets he brings to the team. They will have to bring in multiple players who can help supply the ball-handling, facilitating, transition play, rebounding and scoring that James can still provide in his early 40s.
Doing so would reduce the pressure on Luka Doncic to propel the Lakers to victories. When he was with the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving was able to take some pressure off him, and the two formed a fairly successful partnership. According to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the Lakers “have quietly weighed the pros and cons of re-pairing” Doncic and Irving should James leave (h/t @Fullcourtpass).
Some people have described rising Lakers star guard Austin Reaves as a lesser version of Irving. The latter has career averages of 23.7 points on 47.4% field-goal shooting and 39.4% from 3-point range, 4.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists a game. Irving has made the All-Star team nine times, and he has a history of raising his game under pressure, especially during the playoffs, something Reaves hasn’t really done. Irving is also considered arguably the greatest ball-handler of all-time, and he turns the ball over considerably less often than Reaves does.
However, the New Jersey native hasn’t played since late last season due to a torn ACL, and he is 34 years of age. But he will make $39.49 million next season, which means a swap of Reaves and filler for him could work. There is also the question of whether the Mavericks would be willing to make another trade with the Lakers so soon after gifting L.A. Doncic.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reportedly considering getting Kyrie Irving if LeBron leaves
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
