NBA executive says Kyrie Irving, D’Angelo Russell are ‘divas,’ but Irving ‘takes it to another level’

An anonymous NBA executive says while Kyrie Irving and D'Angelo Russell are both “divas,” Irving “takes it to another level,” according to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer and is widely expected to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, the team Russell plays for. Russell becomes a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Nets can match any offer sheet should the lefty sign one with another team. However, the prevailing thought is that the Nets will renounce Russell's free agent rights if they sign Irving. That would make Russell an unrestricted free agent.

One executive said: “They're both divas, but Irving takes it to another level. Russell may be high-maintenance, but he's no Kyrie.”

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There has been talk that the Los Angeles Lakers could have interest in bringing Russell back to Los Angeles if they aren't able to get Irving or Kemba Walker. Kawhi Leonard is expected to either re-sign with the Toronto Raptors or join the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Durant has been linked to the Nets and New York Knicks. The Lakers could go after Jimmy Butler, but they currently don't have the cap space to sign the four-time All-Star to the max contract he'll command.

Irving is a special talent, but he showed this season with the Boston Celtics he's not ready to be a leader of a team. Russell, meanwhile, has matured since his infamous “phone” incident with guard Nick Young on the Lakers. It would be pretty fascinating if Russell ends up back on the Lakers this summer.