That’s according to Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman.
The Lakers’ offseason interests have been the subject of widespread debate for months with the franchise boasting the salary cap space to land a max contract free agent this coming summer as they look to surround LeBron with more elite-level talent.
Among the 2019 class include Kevin Durant, Thompson, Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler – although it is unknown which players intend to re-sign with their current teams rather than hit the free agency market.
Boston Celtics star Kyrie has declared he will stay at TD Garden but a recent apology over the phone to LeBron regarding his attitude during his time at the Cleveland Cavaliers alongside the 34-year-old has sparked rumours he could look to link up with the four-time MVP again in LA.
Irving has called out his Celtics team-mates recently with Boston fifth in the Eastern Conference, six games behind leaders the Milwaukee Bucks when pre-season predictions had the Celtics. the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers as the top three teams.
Kyrie’s verbal commitment to Boston last year had seen the Lakers instead tipped to recruit one of Golden State Warriors duo Thompson or Durant or Leonard, of the Toronto Raptors.
But while it has been claimed that three-point specialist Thompson would be the most attainable of those three free agency superstars, Kellerman suggests Irving would be a better choice for the Lakers.
Yet fellow ESPN expert Smith revealed that he has been contacted to say that Kyrie will not be going anywhere this summer, with the Celtics the only team who can offer him a supermax contract.
Kellerman told First Take: “If you’re going to argue you aren’t going to get KD or Kawhi downshift, now let’s talk about the downshift.
“Who do you downshift into? I’d argue you’d rather have Kyrie than Klay. Kyrie might be obtainable. Kyrie might not be back with Boston…”
Smith then interjected: “Before you go on, not to refute what you’re saying but I received a call a few days ago, Kyrie is very, very happy in Boston. He loves being in Boston.
“There’s no way on Earth he’s even thinking about going to LA. I’m just telling you about the call I received.”
And Kellerman hit back with: “You know why you received that call, very simple, here’s the math. Where’s he eligible for a supermax deal? Boston. That’s why.
“Let’s say Boston doesn’t want to give him a supermax because of his knee or whatever reasons because they have so many guys to pay and now he’s a free agent.
“I think if you’re going to downshift, it’s nothing against Klay who is a fantastic player and the Lakers would be lucky to have him, but you’d rather have Kyrie.
“LeBron has already won a championship with Kyrie. Kyrie is capable of playing excellent defense he just doesn’t do it as consistently as Klay does.
“What you look at with the Lakers, they’re an excellent defensive team, their efficiency is at the top end of the league and [Brandon] Ingram can defend, [Josh] Hart can defend, LeBron can defend when he wants to, [Rajon] Rondo can defend, Lonzo [Ball] can defend.
“I don’t think there’s a dire need for a wing defender for Klay that would make him more valuable than Kyrie.”
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News