The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are “actively engaged” in Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook trade talks, according to the latest reporting from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

“There’s palpable optimism that an agreement can be struck between the two sides this offseason,” Haynes writes.

The Nets reportedly want the Lakers to take sharpshooting wing Joe Harris, who has two years and $38.6 million remaining on his contract and missed most of the 2021-22 season due to left ankle surgery. Los Angeles, which needs to address three-point shooting this offseason, would prefer to take Seth Curry, who is on an expiring contract ($8.5 million).

The talks are preliminary to this point, per Haynes, and could stretch well into the summer. The Nets are unlikely to pull the trigger on an Irving trade until they know what they'll be getting for Kevin Durant.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4bZVYxusLFA542EmWlcgOm?si=6785e6f3168042f7

The chances of Irving landing in Los Angeles grew eminently more likely the moment Durant requested a trade out of Brooklyn—in the wake of Kyrie opting into his $36.5 million player option for 2022-23. Irving can use the final season of his contract as leverage to force his way to his preferred landing spot, which is Los Angeles.

Furthermore, Durant's impending departure means Brooklyn will be seeking long-term assets and flexibility in return for their disgruntled stars, rather than building a contender next season. A package comprised of Westbrook's $47.1 million expiring contract, two distant first-round picks (2027, 2029) and, potentially, young players like Talen Horton-Tucker and/or Max Christie may suddenly look more appealing to the Nets.