NBA rumors: Kyrie Irving-Ty Lue relationship reason Lakers ended talks originally appeared on nbcsportsbayarea.com First things first: The Los Angeles Lakers are currently an unmitigated disaster. Expected to try and challenge the Warriors in the Western Conference after landing LeBron James, the Purple and Gold bottomed out in the second half of the season, causing James to miss the playoffs for the first time since his second season in the NBA. Then, Magic Johnson abruptly quit as president of basketball operations.