Day: May 1, 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers are not interested in pursuing Kyrie Irving in free agency, sources tell Tim Cato of The Athletic.

In order to acquire Irving, the Lakers would have to sacrifice several of their deadline acquisitions that have allowed them to balance out their roster.

Irving attended the Lakers’ Game 6 win over the Memphis Grizzlies and sat courtside.

Sources say the Dallas Mavericks remain optimistic of their chances of re-signing Irving. Rival teams also expect that scenario to be the most likely one. Despite missing out on the play-in, the Mavericks believe Irving and Luka Doncic can be a successful pairing.

The Mavericks began to conceptualize the possibility of acquiring Irving last November when he was suspended for refusing to apologize for posting a film with antisemitic views to his social media. The front office saw it as an opportunity to acquire a player at a lower cost than is typical for a player of Irving’s ability.

Rival teams expect the Charlotte Hornets to re-sign Miles Bridges this offseason, according to Marc Stein of Substack.

Bridges sat out the entire 22-23 season after he was charged with three counts of felony domestic violence. Bridges received a 30-game suspension without by the NBA, though the league will only force him to sit out 10 games next season by giving him a “partial credit” for what was an unofficial agreement to sit out this season.

The Hornets have until June 29th to tender the required $7.7 million qualifying offer. Bridges would be a restricted free agent again.

Bridges recently posted a video clip on Instagram of a workout in which he is wearing Hornets’ gear.

Joel Embiid underwent platelet-rich plasma treatment on his injured knee last week.

Embiid participated in parts of practice on Sunday.

Embiid’s LCL sprain is more than a Grade 1. Embiid is unlikely to play in Game 1 of the Philadelphia 76ers’ second round series against the Boston Celtics.