NBA Off-season rumours: Can we rule out Kyrie joining Lakers now?

NBA free agency is just around the corner as teams around the league bust out their chequebooks. Keep it right here for all the latest news and rumours as the off-season heats up.

Is the Kyrie situation settled?

One might have assumed when reports surfaced that Kyrie Irving was opting into the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets that any rumours of a deal to the Los Angeles Lakers would be dead.

But according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, that might not be entirely true. Windhorst said on his podcast released Tuesday morning there is a belief Irving being dealt to the Lakers is a possibility even after Monday's news.

“I know that there are people in the league, and we're not talking about ancillary people, we're talking about high-ranking people, who believe that this is not done," Windhorst said, adding there is still mutual interest between Irving and the Lakers.

Irving was previously reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania to have interest in six teams via a sign-and-trade if he did not return to the Nets -- the Lakers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also reported the Nets had no interest in Los Angeles' potential sign-and-trade packages. 

Multiple reports indicated that Irving was seeking a long-term deal, which the Nets were unwilling to offer him. 

On Tuesday, Wojnarowski reported Russell Westbrook will opt in to his $47.1 million option to return to the team next season.

ESPN Sources: Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option to return to the franchise for the 2022-2023 season.

Warriors trying to keep core together?

The Golden State Warriors view re-signing forward