Lakers warned over making Russell Westbrook for Kyrie Irving trade

The Lakers could try and sign Kyrie Irving to replace Russell Westbrook (Image: GETTY)The Los Angeles Lakers have been warned against trading Russell Westbrook for Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving despite their nightmare start to the NBA season. The Lakers reportedly pursued the acquisition of Irving in the offseason and now find themselves winless after four matches.Over the 2022 offseason, there were numerous reports that the Lakers wanted to acquire Irving to bolster their roster ahead of a championship push. The Lakers reportedly wanted the All-Star point guard before he opted into his contract with the Nets for the upcoming season. According to The Athletic, the Lakers reportedly wanted to offload Russell Westbrook, offering the former MVP and draft compensation for the services of Irving. Westbrook – who joined the Lakers from the Washington Wizards in 2021 – opted into the final year of his contract, earning £39.7m, so Los Angeles were planning to match salaries in a potential trade.The move never came about, but the Lakers are still interested in acquiring Irving’s services when he becomes a free agent next offseason. However, one NBA executive recently declared that even if the the team signed Irving next summer, their fortunes would hardly improve. READ MORE: Magic Johnson has LeBron James regret and opens up on quitting Lakers Russell Westbrook has defined the Los Angeles Lakers’ struggles this season (Image: GETTY)’They’re probably going to look for the star, make another run at Kyrie Irving even though they don’t have the max to give him,’ the unnamed executive told Heavy.com. ‘Though, no one is scared of them if you swap out Russell Westbrook and put Kyrie on the team.’The claim that no teams would fear the Lakers even with Irving highlights just how poorly the team have been run in recent times. Their roster construction has been woeful as management have failed to surround stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the necessary shooters. In fact, even James and Davis have been underwhelming in their own ways so far this season. Westbrook has become the scapegoat for the Lakers’ struggle, but he was sat out of Wednesday night’s defeat to the Denver Nuggets due to injury – and the team were still poor.DON’T MISSGolden State Warriors coach admits team has ‘issues’Magic Johnson aims playful dig at NBA icons Jordan and CurryNBA legend claims league will need to change rules due to Steph Curry Kyrie Irving is averaging 27.2 points per game to start the new NBA season (Image: GETTY)