A huge contingent from multiple teams was present Friday as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, LeBron James, his business partner Rich Paul, new head coach Darwin Hamm and Russell Westbrook were among those in attendance.
A number of other team executives also reportedly traveled to Sin City.
On Friday, during the Los Angeles game broadcast on ESPN 2, television cameras showed Pelinka, James and Hamm having a conversation on the baseline. There was also a photo of Pelinka talking on his cell phone and ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski talking to Pelinka and some others.
At halftime of the game, Wojnarowski gave an update on the Lakers’ attempt to acquire Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, saying the Nets’ focus is on trading Durant first and then moving on to a potential Irving deal.
In some ways, trading Durant makes sense because it could dramatically reshape Brooklyn’s roster and determine how to trade Irving.
If the Nets still have a competitive roster, it could change some of the moving parts of a potential Irving deal.
A straight swap of Westbrook for Irving seems highly unlikely, as Westbrook would be a poor fit for almost any team, especially those expected to make the playoffs.
But another problem is that Westbrook’s salary next season is about $47 million, while Irving’s is about $36.5 million.
According to NBA rules, the Bucks must send at least one additional player to the Lakers so that the incoming and outgoing salaries can be matched.