The Los Angeles Lakers could potentially be monitoring the possibilities of acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers amid reports that Cleveland will not be offering Irving a maximum deal.
The Cavs have the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft on June 26 for the third time in four years, and will continue to try and rebuild a franchise that hasn't quite been the same since LeBron James left it four years ago.
The Cavs look ahead to the draft while James is about to embark on a quest for his third straight NBA title as the Miami Heat take on the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals starting Thursday.
Irving, who the Cavaliers acquired with their 2011 No. 1 pick, could be on the move sooner than expected after reports surfaced that Cleveland wasn't willing to give him a max contract, and the Lakers are among teams that could potentially churn out a deal for the 6-foot-2 point guard.
There have been a few locker room incidents with Irving, 22, which have somewhat soiled his reputation and could lead to Cleveland pulling the trigger on a deal despite the point guard being under contract with another year remaining on his rookie deal.
The Lakers, coming off of a franchise-worst 27-55 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005, are in the market for a superstar and will also be looking to build through the draft as they continue the search for their new coach following Mike D'Antoni's resignation.
Los Angeles is armed with the seventh pick of this month's draft and with the draft class expected to be deep, it's possible that they can package something together to try and wrestle Irving away from the Cavaliers.
With perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant's career winding down, the Lakers are searching for a superstar to compliment the "Black Mamba" as he looks for a sixth NBA title. Byron Scott is a candidate to land the Laker's head coaching job, and he has a close relationship with Irving which would make the trade even better for L.A.
It remains to be seen what will happen, but the Cavs could look to rebuild with the No. 1 and 7 draft picks if they dealt Irving to the Lakers, which are in need of a young superstar.
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