Kyrie Irving, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Cam Reddish

After the acquisition of the Lakers from Rui Hachimurarival executives were immediately assessing what the move meant looking ahead to the trade deadline and free agency.

After giving up three second-round picks, the Lakers are expected to hang on Rui Hachimura – who is eligible for a $7.7 million offer and restricted free agency.

Hachimura also provides the Lakers with a frontcourt insurance policy if the team can’t hold on Thomas Bryantwho is expected to command a salary increase for unrestricted free agency this summer.

Hachimura’s acquisition means it will be more difficult for the Lakers to pursue star free agents, including Kyrie Irving, according to rival NBA executives who spoke with HoopsHype. The move makes it less likely that the Lakers will use cap space because bringing back Hachimura would significantly reduce it. Acquiring players like Hachimura now it was a scenario that our HoopsHype headliner Yossi Gozlan recently detailed as a path the Lakers could take to try to improve.

As for Irving, it’s worth noting lebron james publicly endorsed Irving on social media earlier this season during his suspension with the Nets. There is a belief around the league that James would welcome a meeting with Irving in Los Angeles if possible.

How reported by HoopsHype on January 18, there was a belief among several NBA executives around the league that Irving and the Nets would continue their partnership beyond this season. A week later, Irving’s agent… Shetellia Irving – told Bleacher Report: “We haven’t had any meaningful conversations so far. The desire is to make Brooklyn homewith the right kind of extension, which means the ball is in the Nets’ court to communicate now if their desire is the same.”