Kyrie Irving’s potential destinations have been rumored since the Nets demanded a trade, and an option that would spark a reunion — former Lakers and Cavaliers teammate LeBron James — would also provide a boost for Los Angeles. will do
“Obviously, it’s a — what’s the word you use — ‘duh’ question when you talk about a player like that,” James said of the Lakers’ Pelicans on Saturday night, according to ESPN. said after the loss, according to ESPN.
When asked if Irving could be the player who boosts the Lakers’ chances of winning their second NBA title in four seasons, James initially responded by saying that it was up to general manager Rob Pelinka. There’s one question — “You’ll have to meet him when you’re all back in LA,” he told reporters.
“I’ve told you all a couple of weeks. [ago]I don’t speak for our front office,” James continued. “My mindset with whatever lineup we have or whatever group we have is to make sure we prepare ourselves the best we can to go out and win. Do it.”
James and Irving were teammates in Cleveland for three seasons. They paired together from 2014-17, and in 2016, they led the Cavaliers to their first title — coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Warriors. But their relationship grew to the point where Irving requested a trade because he told Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert that “he wants to play in a situation where he can be more of a focal point and that now he’s LeBron didn’t want to play with James.” According to an ESPN story at the time.
This eventually led to a trade between the Celtics and Cavaliers. Irving spent the next two seasons in Boston before joining the Nets as a free agent.
But a strange and controversial era in Brooklyn could come to an abrupt end by Thursday. Irving surprised teammates by requesting a trade, as some learned of the news on Twitter, and he informed the team that he would be out of the offseason if he didn’t move past the deadline. I will leave. According to ESPN, Irving reportedly wants a long-term extension that teams are reluctant to provide.
According to The Post’s Brian Lewis, the Lakers, Mavericks, Heat and Suns have all emerged as potential options for Irving, but Dallas is reportedly considering whether Irving and star Luka Donic — and their Related personalities – Will they mesh or not?
Irving missed Saturday’s game in Brooklyn with a sore right calf, but the Nets beat the Wizards 125-123 behind career-best performances from Cam Thomas (44 points) and Edmund Sumner (29 points). Irving, 30, is averaging 27.1 points per game this season. Brian Lewis reported Sunday that Irving is considering sitting out the rest of the season if the Nets don’t trade him.
The Lakers are currently 13th in the Western Conference with a 25-29 record, but are just a handful of games out of jumping into a play-in spot for the postseason.
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