The future core of the Brooklyn Nets is fuzzy, as it seems like all of their star players want out. James Harden left first, forcing his way out through a trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Now, Kyrie Irving is just days away from becoming a free agent. If he doesn't opt into his $36.5 million player option by June 29, he'll be available to negotiate contracts with other teams throughout the league.

Irving had a lot of drama surrounding him last season due to his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine. However, he would still enter free agency as the highest valued player available. And, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Los Angeles Lakers are the frontrunners to sign Irving.

Unfortunately for Irving, Woj reports that his options outside of the Nets are “limited” due to cap space.

“Teams with space are perhaps not teams he would be interested in and perhaps I don't think are interested in him.”

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That being said, it seems like the Lakers are interested in Irving. And, according to Marc Stein, Irving has already talked to LeBron James about a possible reunion in Los Angeles. The two were teammates during their time on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The catch is that he would have to take a lot less money with the Lakers than the Nets are currently offering.

“The Lakers are considered the most significant threat right now for Kyrie Irving but that would essentially entail him taking $30 million less than he can opt into in Brooklyn,” Woj explained.

However, if we've learned anything about Kyrie in the past year, it's that he will give up money for what he believes in. Woj noted that Irving lost nearly $17 million last season alone because of his vaccination situation.