It was quite the scene when Dallas Mavericks player and former teammate of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, came up for L.A.’s Game 6 playoff matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies.
When current players attend games, they frequently create attention. It was expected of someone of Irving’s caliber and the relationships he possesses inside the club.
Irving sought to address the circulating trade speculations at the same time.
On January 17, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said, “He was… about to become a free agent, and according to sources close to him, Irving had a strong interest in reuniting with James—the man he’d won an NBA championship with as Cavaliers back in 2016—either in Los Angeles or Dallas.”
According to people close to Irving, he was there to deliver that exact message.
In the end, this past offseason, the Mavericks re-signed Irving to a three-year, $120 million contract.
But only after much internal discussion and conjecture about his possible Lakers future.
Shelburne said, “The Lakers had been debating whether to pursue Irving through trade or free agency for almost a year. “Sources said that James was open to the idea but cautious not to do anything that would be interpreted as a push.”
Shelburne draws attention to the timing, as the Lakers are still making course corrections after admitting that trading for Russell Westbrook was a mistake, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on January 9.
During Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Irving made another appearance.
Shelburne went on, “By that point, it was a moot” point because of the Lakers’ impressive finish and the Mavericks’ intention to get Irving back. Dallas also had to cope with reports that star Luka Doncic might not be happy.
Kyrie Irving’s pass by the Lakers “reverberates with every loss.”
Shelburne writes, “Seven months later, the impact of that choice reverberates with every loss.” “That’s probably how it will stay between James and Irving, barring an All-Star Game.
“From all indications, Irving is content with Dallas and the reception he has received.”
The Lakers and a number of other guards during this trade window are allegedly connected. But none of them have been Irving. Dallas is expected to be trying to strengthen their team, as they are currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference.
The Lakers are expected to be buyers in any trades they make before the deadline. This entails letting go of some of their most demanding contracts.
Lakers Want to Retain “Understudy” LeBron James
The Lakers’ wish to hold onto Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, two of their more well-liked players, according to rumors, may be making things more difficult for them this trade season.
Regarding Reaves, the Lakers’ position has not altered.
However, a lot of people believed that Hachimura, whom James referred to as his backup, was one of the Lakers’ more likely trade prospects at this year’s trade deadline, along with D’Angelo Russell. It is possible that Russell is still being traded. But it is not anticipated that he will offer much of a deal by himself.
It seems the Lakers won’t be making a trade for Irving, regardless of what they do or don’t do before the deadline.
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