It's been assumed (by many, at least) the Lakers, once Brooklyn was ready to deal and the Lakers would throw in a second first-round pick, would acquire Kyrie Irving from the Nets. But what if the conventional wisdom here isn't correct? What if the Nets, even after Irving goes on the market, simply aren't interested in a package built around those two picks, especially if it means taking on Russell Westbrook (which it would)?

That's the question percolating as the week comes to a close, as multiple reports are noting this might be the situation facing L.A.... Brooklyn isn't currently interested in what the Lakers have to offer. Now some of that is probably posturing. Brooklyn obviously wants as robust a market for Irving as possible, should they decide to move him. But it could also reflect their preferences, and that matters.

So if they can't get Irving - not just before the season, but period - what do the Lakers do next? Pull the trigger on a trade for Buddy Hield and Myles Turner with the Pacers, even if the return doesn't provide the same ceiling? Try to engineer a less costly deal with Utah, if they can move Donovan Mitchell and enter a true rebuild? Or just wait and hope something better comes along?

It's not an easy question to answer.

One that is? Should the Lakers put Pau Gasol's #16 in the rafters? Yes, yes they should! And they will, on March 7 this season. It's a great honor for a great Laker, one who has taken on a little more emotional significance since the death of Kobe Bryant. The Lakers aren't abandoning their jersey retirement standards, but they are amending the process... and they should.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Reports are emerging that the Nets just don't want what the Lakers have to offer. How true is that?

SEGMENT 2: If the Lakers really can't get Kyrie, what should they do next?

SEGMENT 3: Pau's number is getting retired by the Lakers, breaking some protocols on the way.

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