NBA Trade Rumors 2014 Update: Kyrie Irving's Knee Injury Could Affect Pau Gasol-For-Andrew Bynum Swap

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers are still talking about a possible trade involving Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, but the recent injury sustained by Cavs star Kyrie Irving could be a factor in the outcome of the talks.

ESPN reported on Thursday that the MRI on Irving's ailing knee revealed a contusion, and the All-Star point guard's condition will be monitored on a day-to-day basis. Irving said that he felt a "pop" in his knee when he fell awkwardly in the third quarter of their 91-76 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

"I thought the worst happened. I felt something pop in my knee," Irving said. "When I came back in, my left knee is pretty weak right now. I was falling all over the place. I didn't have my legs under me. It was a painful experience."

Reports suggested that if his ailing knee will affect Irving's game this season, the Cavaliers will likely back out of the Gasol-for-Bynum trade talks. Cleveland is planning to pair up Gasol and Irving for a playoff push this season.

"If Irving is out for a substantial length of time, it's believed that the Cavaliers' appetite to take on additional salary in pursuit of a playoff push would inevitably be diminished," ESPN Los Angeles reported.

The Lakers are looking to acquire the team-friendly contract of Bynum because it would save them around $20 million in salary and taxes this season.

But while they are high on the benefits of taking Bynum's contract, the Lakers are still asking the Cavaliers to include additional assets in exchange for the four-time All-Star Gasol.

And if the Cavaliers remain unwilling to give up additional players or pick for Bynum, the Lakers are expected to end the discussions as reports suggested that the Lakers' top brass are still willing to give the current group time to get healthy and see how far their current lineup will go this season.

Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant remains sidelined with a broken knee, while veteran point guard Steve Nash has not played since Nov. 10 due to nerve irritation in his back. Steve Blake is also out with an elbow injury, while Jordan Farmar hurt his hamstring again on Tuesday and is expected to be out for at least four weeks.