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Despite not being teammates since the conclusion of the 2016–17 campaign, Kyrie Irving and LeBron James are nonetheless in close proximity to one another.
The four-time MVP, LeBron James, was the target of Irving’s courtside seats during Game 6 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. Irving “had a strong interest in reuniting with James” during his pro free agency years.
“James was open to the idea, sources said,” reported Shelburne, “but careful not to do anything that would be seen as a push while the organization was still trying to extricate itself from the ill-fated experiment with Russell Westbrook.”
Shelburne pointed out that Irving was also watching Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals from courtside, but the Dallas Mavericks were adamant about keeping Irving as a partner with Luka Dončić, thus the Lakers’ “choice to pursue Irving was moot” by then.
Contrary to popular belief, the Lakers’ postseason success led to their current situation.
Shelburne claims that Los Angeles sought to recruit role players to round out the team while keeping its own free agents in order to maintain continuity.
While Gabe Vincent was acquired by the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves inked new contracts with the Lakers. This season, Vincent has only appeared in five games because of a knee injury that needed surgery.
It would have been challenging for the Lakers to pull off a significant run at Irving, even if that was their goal. If they had traded for everyone but James and Anthony Davis, they could only have released $36 million in cap space.
The Mavericks had every incentive to prioritize Irving after dealing Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and an unprotected 2029 first-round draft pick to the Brooklyn Nets in order to get him, so a sign-and-trade would have needed their consent.
Irving re-signed with the Mavericks in free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $120 million contract. A $42.96 million player option is available for the final season.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic forecast in November that, if the Mavs were having trouble, the Irving-to-Los Angeles rumors would resurface around the trade deadline (starts at 21:33 mark).
With a 24-17 record, the Mavs are presently the fifth seed in the Western Conference. With 37.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists over the last five games, Irving is currently riding high. Due to an ankle ailment, Dončić has missed the last three games.
The Lakers are having trouble staying consistent. With a 20–21 record, they are ranked 10th in the Western Conference rankings. Irving’s ability to score would have been extremely beneficial to an offense that is ranked 23rd in rating and 19th in points per game.
At 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Irving and the Mavericks take against James and the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.