Oh yeah...I had assumed there likely would be another team involved if something happened. The Nets gave up a TON for the Harden move. They would need to get back more.
To me, this doesn't eliminate the outcome of kyrie leaving the Nets.
If Kyrie to the Lakers had any validity, I could see three scenarios:
1. He opts out and signs with the Lakers for the mid level exception, in which case the Nets get nothing.
-I didn't think this was a realistic scenario. As much as Kyrie wants everyone to think he's a free spirit, he's not enough of a free spirit to leave 30 mil on the table and risk future earnings for a 6mil short term contract.
2. He is signed to a 4 year max and traded to the Lakers.
-All the Lakers really have to trade is Westbrook.
3. He opts in to his 1 year deal and is traded to the Lakers.
-All the Lakers really have to trade is Westbrook.
My reasoning for why a team might find Kyrie on a one year deal more attractive than a 4 year deal - Teams don't want to commit to Kyrie for 4 years. On a 1 year, if he plays nice, they own his bird rights. If not, bon voyage.