NBA Rumors: ‘Lakers Were Very Interested’ in Kyrie Irving; Nets PG Felt Same About LA | Bleacher Report

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There was reportedly mutual interest between Kyrie Irving and the Los Angeles Lakers before Kyrie opted into the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

Speaking Tuesday on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst commented on the situation:

“I know that there are people in the league, and we’re not talking about ancillary people, we’re talking about high-ranking people, who believe that this is not done. I don’t know. Let me just say this about the Lakers. He obviously was very interested in joining the Lakers. The Lakers were very interested in having him.”

For now, Irving is still a member of the Nets, as he announced Monday that he exercised his $36.5 million option for the 2022-23 campaign. He has until Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET to make it official.

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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