[Wojnarowski] Irving has great interest in joining the Lakers, sources said, which he could do by declining the $36.5 million option and signing with Los Angeles for the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

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Irving has great interest in joining the Lakers, sources said, which he could do by declining the $36.5 million option and signing with Los Angeles for the $6 million taxpayer mid-level exception.

Irving has until Wednesday to make a decision on exercising his $36.5 million option on the 2022-2023 season. Once he opts into the deal, he's no longer eligible for a sign-and-trade. The Nets could proceed working to trade him as an expiring contract, but Irving would have no formal voice in a potential landing spot.

This is Nets telling Kyrie that they won't trade him to his destination of choice if he opts in, calling his bluff of TPMLE.

Irving needs a trade partner to coordinate an agreement on a deal to get a long-term, maximum contract, but only the Lakers have interest in executing a sign-and-trade once free agency opens on Thursday night, sources said.

So far, the Nets have no interest in taking back the available Lakers packages, sources said.

This to me is a classic indication of Nets wanting assets from another team. Basically telling the Lakers to find a third team that would take Westbrook + 2 FRPs and give the Nets role players in return

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