Some fans of the Los Angeles Lakers allege that when it comes to their team trying to make trades to move the needle, it has to pay what some have called a “Lakers tax.”
In other words, there is a feeling rival teams ask the Lakers to give up more assets than they would ask other teams to do in order to acquire the same package in return.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, this allegation was true when it came to L.A.’s effort to land Kyrie Irving.
The Brooklyn Nets demanded the Lakers fork over several of their key role players in addition to the base compensation of Russell Westbrook and two future first-round draft picks.
“Based on everything I was told, the Nets asked from the Lakers way more than they asked from any other team for Kyrie. They didn’t just want the two firsts and Russ (Westbrook). They wanted (Austin) Reaves. They wanted (Max) Christie. They wanted Rui (Hachimura) in a separate. They wanted everything the Lakers had.”
Fortunately, L.A. said no to that outrageous ask. Instead, the Nets sent Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for two solid but unimpressive role players, Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, plus a 2029 unprotected first-round pick and two second-round selections.
Given what it would’ve taken the Lakers to get Irving, and what they ultimately gave up for a more balanced package of players that address their needs more fully, they definitely made the right decision.
