The Los Angeles Lakers have given themselves early-season breathing room.
At 18–7 and sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings, they’ve looked like a team capable of backing up the expectations that followed a summer built around LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
That strong start hasn’t stopped trade speculation from surfacing. If anything, it’s sharpened the focus on what kind of upgrades would actually make sense for a roster that already leans heavily into offensive creation.
One idea that has drawn attention comes from Nathaniel Holloway of Athlon Sports, who floated a bold trade concept involving Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks.
The Trade Idea Being Floated
GettyLuka Doncic (l) and Kyrie Irving (r).
Holloway’s proposal centers on reuniting Irving with both Doncic and James in Los Angeles, betting on elite offensive talent and familiarity.
The framework looks like this:
Lakers receive:
Kyrie Irving
Mavericks receive:
Rui Hachimura
Jarred Vanderbilt
Jake LaRavia
Multiple future first-round picks
Why the Concept Is Appealing
On paper, the appeal is easy to understand.
Irving has championship experience alongside James from their time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they won a title together. He also thrived next to Doncic in Dallas before his ACL injury, forming one of the league’s most dangerous offensive pairings when healthy.
Before getting hurt, Irving was still producing at a high level, averaging nearly 25 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field and from three. His shot creation, late-game scoring, and comfort in high-leverage moments are qualities that always draw interest from teams with title aspirations.
From that lens, Holloway’s idea leans into star power and continuity rather than incremental upgrades.
Where the Lakers’ Fit Gets Complicated
This is where the conversation becomes more nuanced for the Lakers.
Adding Irving would give Los Angeles four players who do their best work with the ball: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Kyrie Irving. That kind of balance is difficult to manage over a full season. It gets even harder in the playoffs.
Reaves, in particular, complicates the equation.
He has been excellent to start the year. Efficient scoring. Smart off-ball movement. Strong defense across multiple positions. He has fit cleanly next to Doncic without needing constant touches.
At this point, it’s fair to ask whether Irving would be a clear upgrade over Reaves, especially when age, health, and overall fit are part of the equation.
What the Lakers May Prioritize Instead
GettyLakers guard Luka Doncic is defended by Herbert Jones. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
If Los Angeles decides to use its assets, the front office may lean toward a different type of addition.
With Doncic and Reaves driving the offense, the Lakers’ biggest needs could tilt toward defense, length, and versatility rather than another high-usage scorer. Putting elite defenders around their primary creators may offer a cleaner path to playoff balance.
That’s why names like Herb Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans have surfaced in league chatter. A wing defender who can guard elite scorers, thrive without the ball, and still contribute offensively would align more naturally with how this roster is built.
A Thought-Provoking Idea, Even If Unlikely
Holloway’s trade pitch is bold, and it highlights the flexibility the Lakers have created with their strong start.
Whether Irving is the right swing is another question.
For now, the idea serves more as a conversation starter than a roadmap. It underscores how aggressive the Lakers could choose to be — and how carefully they’ll need to weigh fit over flash as the deadline approaches.
If they make a move, it will likely say as much about what they don’t need as what they do.
And that’s a good problem to have.
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