Kyrie Irving Trade Rumors: 'Clippers Made a Strong Offer to' Nets amid Lakers Buzz

The Los Angeles Clippers "made a strong offer" to the Brooklyn Nets to acquire Kyrie Irving, according to Law Murray of The Athletic.

Murray also noted head coach Tyronn Lue is "ready to reunite with his former player."

The news comes after Irving requested a trade on Friday following failed contract-extension talks with the Nets, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are also considered potential trade partners ahead of Thursday's deadline.

Irving is considering sitting out the rest of the season if he is not traded, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post, which could create urgency for Brooklyn to make a deal.

Lue coached Irving with the Cleveland Cavaliers, combining to win the NBA title in 2016. The coach also offered significant praise on the point guard earlier this season.

"I've always said offensively, he has no weaknesses," Lue said of Irving in November. "He can score the basketball. He can pass it, finish both hands, can post, midrange, three-point, off the dribble, he can do it all. Just a special talent."

Those comments came after Irving was suspended by the Nets in November for failing to disavow antisemitism. The 30-year-old missed eight games before he was allowed to rejoin the team.

The Clippers entered Sunday fourth in the Western Conference with a 30-26 record, but the addition of an All-Star guard alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could make the team one of the favorites to win a title.

Matt Moore of Action Network reported last Sunday that Leonard "made it clear to the Clippers front office that he would welcome a point guard addition," although the focus was on Fred VanVleet and Kyle Lowry at the time.

John Wall remains out with an abdominal injury, leaving Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann as the top options at the position. Both are arguably better off the ball rather than leading the attack.

Adding Irving, who is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game this season, would give the squad a true point guard an elite option to take pressure off Leonard and George.