Kevin Durant is Staying in Brooklyn, Which Means Kyrie Irving Isn't Coming to the Lakers. Plan B?

So, all that stuff? Just kidding. Nothing to see here, anymore. Yep, Tuesday saw Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets agree to move forward together in pursuit of an NBA championship. Nothing about this is particularly surprising - short of an overwhelming offer Brooklyn had zero incentive to move Durant and KD had almost no leverage to force the team's hand - but it is nonetheless revealing. The landscape in the NBA has changed and superstars flexing, or trying to flex, are finding that context can make a big difference in determining whether that flex works. For the Lakers, there are long term implications around stars and star culture, but the more immediate impact? No Kyrie Irving. If Durant ain't moving, neither is Kyrie. So where to the Lakers go now, knowing that their top trade target is off the market, and there aren't exactly a ton of teams clamoring to take Russell Westbrook off their hands? Does it put more pressure on them to engineer a deal with the Pacers, trying to preserve as good of terms as possible even if it means giving up both first rounders for Myles Turner and Buddy Hield? Does it help them enough? Is there really a better deal to be had down the road, with just two first round picks and little young talent to dangle? In many ways, the Lakers again are deep into Argo territory, trying to find the best bad option they have. And what about Dennis Schröder? Is there a chance LA's favorite German point guard could make a return this season? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Kevin Durant is staying in Brooklyn. Because of course he is. SEGMENT 2: Kyrie is off the market, so where do the Lakers go from here? SEGMENT 3: Is there more pressure to make a deal with Indiana? And is Dennis Schröder a good idea? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline BetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices