At the 2023 trade deadline, “How can the Lakers bring Kyrie Irving to Los Angeles?” will be one of the main concerns. Irving posed the following query, knowing that he would be a free agency in less than a month: “How can the Mavericks bring LeBron James to Dallas?”
Irving got in touch with James to find out his thoughts about joining the Mavericks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report also disclosed that Irving wants the Mavericks to look into forming a new “Big Three” that consists of Luka Doncic, James, and Irving.
The Mavericks would find it challenging to deal James. The 38-year-old star is still the Lakers’ best player and earns a salary of around $50 million USD per season. In addition, the Mavericks lack the financial means to execute another big-time transaction.
But it’s also important to consider LeBron James and Kyrie Irving’s relationship.
See also: Four reasons the Dallas Mavericks are unable to sign LeBron James from the Lakers
The relationship between Kyrie Irving and LeBron James
From 2014 to 2017, James and Irving were teammates in Cleveland. In 2016, they both guided the Cavaliers to three straight NBA Finals and a historic triumph. In the 2010s, James and Irving were the greatest team in the NBA. The bond was not always strong, though. Both are excellent. The turning point came when Irving requested to go since he didn’t want to be under his senior’s shadow. After that, the Cavaliers traded him to the Boston Celtics.
Irving didn’t give James a call to apologize for his behavior during his last stint in Cleveland until 2019. Irving is reported to “appreciate” that James reached out to me on his own. The two stars’ connection then improved once more.
“Yes, we’re fine,” James told The Athletic’s Joe Vardon when asked about Irving’s call. “I like him now, I like the challenges he accepts and always wish the best for Kyrie.”
When Irving asked to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets, James and the Lakers were the most enthusiastic team. The 38-year-old star tried every way to reunite with Irving at the Lakers. But after all, the Nets chose the Mavericks’ offer.
“I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed in not having a talent like that,” James told ESPN’s Michael Wilbon.
The bond between Luka Doncic and LeBron James
Despite never having played together, James and Doncic recognize one other’s skill.
Doncic said before the 2018–19 rookie season that James has always been his “idol.” Following the two teams’ November 2019 game, the Lakers star was quite complimentary of the Slovenian player.
“You never know who you might inspire on your journey,” James told ESPN’s Doris Burke . “And I will always hope that I can inspire the next generation. For me, I always get my teammates to play for the purity of basketball, I was able to inspire a kid who wasn’t even in America. And that’s pretty special.
Obviously we see what Doncic can do. He can create opportunities, not only for himself but also for his teammates, and also rebounds. It’s playing for the passion of basketball. That’s a player to watch.”
Doncic has participated in four All-Star events and as team captain in the All-Star Draft, James selected Doncic for the team.
“I like the way he plays,” James said before the 2022 All-Star Game. “I like everything about Doncic. The way he plays reminds me of myself.”