With Kevin Durant asking out of Brooklyn, there's no use hiding anything anymore. The Nets are now actively engaging in Kyrie Irving trade talks with the Los Angeles Lakers involving Russell Westbrook.
There's optimism that a deal will be consummated between both sides, but there are still a few kinks to work out in any potential trade. According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, there are two main roadblocks to the trade getting a green light.
Draft compensation is an ongoing talking point for the Nets and they want shooting guard Joe Harris — who is recovering from left ankle surgery — and his remaining $38.6 million owed over the next two years included in the deal, sources said.
The Lakers have been disinclined to the inclusion of Harris, and are instead seeking the insertion of sharpshooter Seth Curry as part of the arrangement, sources said.
Curry is on an expiring $8.5 million deal.
The Lakers have very limited draft capital and there's a strong possibility that the Nets are trying to urge LA to find a way to accrue another pick or two from another team to include in any package.
There's also the matter of which Nets sharpshooter the Lakers are getting in return. Seth Curry is a valuable – and more importantly healthy – role player with more playoff experience than Joe Harris while owning the more favorable contract.
But as the saying goes – when there's a will, there's a way. If both sides remain motivated to get a deal done, these finer points of the trade will sort themselves out.
Follow Us
Subscribe