You can a strong argument that the Los Angeles Lakers have not had a star point guard since Magic Johnson, but all that could change next year thanks to LeBron James.
Just like the city of Los Angeles, the Lakers are known for their ability to host stars. Superstar, all-word talented players who dazzle and shine on the biggest stage within the most storied-franchise in the NBA. Yet, for years, an answer at point guard has never been found.
Lonzo Ball was projected to be that man when he was drafted in 2017, but after two inconsistent seasons he was traded in order to bring in Anthony Davis, who went on to win a championship alongside arguably the biggest star in basketball's history - James.
Russell Westbrook is the man currently in the role, but he and his $41million (£36.7m) contract will be gone in a year's time, leaving the Lakers with cap space to go out and attract a new superstar, which they could end up doing by acquiring Brooklyn Nets star Irving.
Irving is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2023, and is highly unlikely to resign in New York after reportedly asking to seek a trade this past off-season. Irving was strongly linked with a move to the Lakers, in what would be a reunion with James.
The two spent three years together with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning an NBA championship and going to three NBA finals before Irving demanded to be traded away. It was a surprising move at the time, with the team being finals contenders each year. However, Irving was said to want a change after being in James' shadow.
Speaking on the I Am Athlete podcast earlier in the year, Irving spoke on his regret on leaving the Cavaliers, stating that he could have handled himself in a better way throughout that period.
"If I was in the same maturity line and understanding of who I am [now], and I look back, we definitely, definitely would've won more championships. Because there would've been a better man-to-man understanding [with LeBron] about what I'm going through. I didn't know how to share my emotions. I didn't know how to do that. So instead of sharing, I isolated myself."
Irving says he regretted not speaking to James about his decision to be traded away from the Cavaliers, which saw him join the rival Boston Celtics in a blockbuster deal.
He added: " We didn't talk during that time. When I look back on what I was going through at that time, I wish I did [talk to LeBron], because it would've been a good understanding of what the future will hold for both of us and we know how much power we both had together.
"Me and him in the league together running Cleveland, and then being able to put a better team together every single year would've definitely been worth it."
Irving would spent just two years with the Celtics before turning down an opportunity to re-sign with the team, instead joining the Nets, where he remains alongside Kevin Durant.
