Possible Rumor Killer About Los Angeles Lakers Pursuing Kyrie Irving

Embattled Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving has been suspended from the team following his antisemitic comments, and the Los Angeles Lakers' rumored interest in him may all just be smoke and mirrors.

Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that they had spoken with 11 anonymous NBA executives and the consensus among them is that their respective teams are not planning to take a chance on Irving whatsoever–regardless if he is traded or waived.

From Amick's perspective, this notion includes the Lakers.

"As we reported in early October and a sentiment that still exists, sources say the Lakers have significant concerns about the prospect of adding Irving at any price and have not been focused on that scenario all season long," he wrote.

"It's quite clear that Laker Land is a highly unlikely, if not impossible, landing spot."

Irving's talent on an NBA basketball court has been overshadowed by his issues off it plus the injuries that he has been battling among other things, which have kept him limited from playing.

Statmuse reported that Irving has missed (128) more games than he has ever played (111) in his 12 seasons which is a legitimate concern for any team that would want to sign him.

To say that the Lakers are in need of help with regard to their depth in the backcourt is a severe understatement since the franchise moved Russell Westbrook off the bench–a move that appears to be the correct call.

As a result of that move, the Lakers' starting group features a revolving door of personnel from Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and Austin Reaves taking Westbrook's place depending on the team they face.

But on the topic of Irving's future in the NBA, the executives that The Athletic spoke to do not think his career is going to end anytime soon.

"There's always going to be a team that's desperate enough to sell their soul for the guy on a short-term deal, thinking they have the right leadership in place to handle him. I think whatever happens with him, it's gonna be one-year deals from here on out," executive No. 5 said.

Rumors came out recently that the Dallas Mavericks could be considering a move for Irving either this season or in the summer of 2023.

While pairing him up with Luka Doncic would be great on the basketball court, the problem is his off-court troubles and team owner Mark Cuban will have a lot of time to consider whether the reward will outweigh the risk.

As for the Lakers, bringing Irving onto the squad might work from a point guard perspective, but it still does little to address their lack of depth.

Irving's future currently hangs in the balance and with most teams being cautious about trying to get him, he will be in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future.