Can Kyrie Irving still play with LeBron and sign for the LA Lakers?
Kyrie Irving was reportedly keen on a reunion with LeBron James with the LA Lakers. He has just been traded to the Dallas Mavericks for a package centered around Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith.
Unless the former Brooklyn Nets point guard signs an extension with the Mavericks, the door is still slightly open for Irving and James’ reunion. NBA insider Marc Stein had this to report on what could still end up being a league-shaking move in the offseason:
“Kyrie Irving has no assurances of a subsequent contract from the Mavericks, league sources tell me, but he will be eligible for a two-year extension worth in excess of $80 if he and Dallas look to continue the relationship beyond this season.”
Kyrie Irving has no assurances of a subsequent contract from the Mavericks, league sources tell me, but he will be eligible for a two-year extension worth in excess of $80 if he and Dallas look to continue the relationship beyond this season. twitter.com/TheSteinLine/s…
The Dallas Mavericks' extension offer is just within range of what Irving would have reportedly gotten from the LA Lakers. If he's not content with that from Mark Cuban, he may choose to play under the same terms alongside LeBron James in Hollywood.
Irving's stay in Dallas might be a three-month rental if the Mavericks don't make the playoffs.
Kyrie Irving has not been promised a new contract by the Mavericks, per @TheSteinLine
“No one in Dallas will come out and say it in these terms, obviously, but Irving is potentially just a rental.”
(Via marcstein.substack.com/p/kyrie-irving…) https://t.co/OBau5N6U0s
Over the last six months, Irving to the Lakers has come tantalizingly close a few times. He couldn’t force his way to Hollywood via sign-and-trade and he didn’t want to give up $30 million by availing of the Lakers’ mid-level exemption.
Rob Pelinka reportedly offered their two future first-round picks and Russell Westbrook for Brooklyn’s mercurial point guard. Joe Tsai, the Nets’ owner, was rumored to be against Irving’s move to LA, which rendered Pelinka’s offer immaterial.
Kyrie Irving and LeBron James may have to wait for a few more months to play together with the LA Lakers
LeBron James, based on offseason reports, pushed hard to get Kyrie Irving. The Lakers couldn’t get it done, but were hoping “Uncle Drew” would be available as an unrestricted free agent.
Irving’s demand to be traded, however, renewed hope that their offseason longing will be rewarded. When asked by the media if his former teammate could help the Lakers if acquired via trade, James said, "Duh."
When news broke that the Dallas Mavericks had successfully traded for Kyrie Irving, LeBron James couldn’t hide his disappointment:
“Maybe It’s Me”
Maybe It’s Me
Maybe it’s him, maybe it’s Rob Pelinka or maybe it’s Irving himself wanting to get a four-year deal instead of playing two years with James. Maybe it was just Joe Tsai refusing to pave the way for the LA Lakers to rule the NBA yet again.
Maybe everything will still fall into place a few months from now if rumors of the Dallas Mavericks’ contract extension offer is true.
Kyrie Irving might prefer to play the same two-year extension with LeBron James and the LA Lakers instead of Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.
If it’s Irving that’s involved, the “anything can happen” caution is a mantra. He vowed not to leave Kevin Durant when asked about his plans for the offseason. After failing to get the deal he wanted from the Brooklyn Nets, he turned his back on his pal.