Skip Bayless had a bold take on why the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t pursue Kyrie Irving in free agency.
Taking to Twitter, the ‘Undisputed’ host said the Lakers weren’t keen on having the many avatars of the mercurial point guard on board.
“The Lakers wanted no part of Kyrie and his “basketball is no longer my priority but I deserve the max” attitude coupled with his propensity for controversy and for extended absences,” he tweeted.
The Lakers wanted no part of Kyrie and his "basketball is no longer my priority but I deserve the max" attitude coupled with his propensity for controversy and for extended absences.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) July 1, 2023
Irving to the Lakers was a narrative that began doing the rounds ahead of last season’s trade deadline and it only picked up more buzz as the free agency date loomed. In the end, the 31-year-old decided to stay with the Mavericks signing a three-year $126 million contract.
During the 2022-23 regular season, Irving averaged 27.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 5.3 APG. He had a stellar season even if Dallas’ campaign bombed, and now it’s interesting to see how the Mavericks look after another year of him and Luka Doncic sharing the floor.
But, as for Bayless’ take, the Lakers have always maintained that they wanted to retain their core, and getting Irving would have meant sacrificing a major chunk of the roster costing them their depth. So, it appears both parties have been happy with their moves.
Kyrie Irving’s Reaction After Re-Signing With The Dallas Mavericks
Soon after inking his three-year deal with the Mavericks, Irving took to Twitter to thank his team for making the deal come through.
“Big Shoutout to my Agent Shetellia Riley Irving, and my business manager Drederick Irving, who did a great job throughout the whole entire process. Thank you A11EVEN MANAGEMENT FIRM,” he tweeted.
The Mavericks will now look to build the best possible squad around Irving and Donic Doncic. Their defense is simply questionable, and only time and they will need to make some concrete moves that bolster the other aspect of the game.
For now, a LeBron James-Kyrie Irving reunion is off the table.
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