Lakers now have cap space next season for a max contract, like Kyrie Irving, after trading Talen Horton-Tucker

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There are a few unrestricted free agent targets who could potentially earn something near a max deal in 2023.

But the most notable is Kyrie Irving, who agreed to a player option for 2022 and then becomes a free agent next off-season. Irving has been long linked to the Lakers to once again team up with LeBron. Irving could be an ideal third star next to James and Davis.

Here is what Nets beat writer Alex Schiffer recently said (via The Athletic):

“You talk to people over in Los Angeles, they still really feel like Kyrie Irving is coming to them next year. I’m curious to see how that goes over with recent events.”

However, remember: James, Davis, and Christie give the Lakers around $44.1 million in cap space. That is enough to sign anyone with less than ten years of experience.

Irving will have more than ten years of experience, though, so his max contract would start at $46.5 million in 2023-24. As such, Irving would either have to take less than the max or the Lakers would have to trade Christie.

Of course, that means things would have to go awry in Brooklyn for Irving to want to leave. But we’ve seen such a thing happen several times before!

Another potential free agent of note includes Andrew Wiggins, although the Warriors may look to retain his services. Additionally, if they opt out of their deals, James Harden and Khris Middleton may become available. RJ Barrett, Jordan Poole, and Tyler Herro are expected to hit restricted free agency.

If they don’t want to go big-game hunting, they can always use the cap space on multiple deals for less than the max to add a few solid role players instead of chasing their third star.