After weeks of rumor and speculation about a potential reunion with his former teammate, Kyrie Irving narrowly missed his chance to become a Laker after being traded to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this season.
By all accounts, the Purple and Gold were favored to land the NBA champion, who specifically named the Lakers as his preferred landing spot last summer.
Obviously, James and Irving didn’t end up as teammates this season — but fans got the next best thing for the NBA All-Star game.
In a surprise twist, James was able to pick Kyrie to join him on his All-Star team, and the two are finally reunited as teammates for the first time in years.
LeBron picked Kyrie to be on his team during the NBA All Star game 🍿 👀
🎥 @BleacherReport https://t.co/lhPpdFp3Vz
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 20, 2023
Kyrie’s impending free agency adds another layer to this whole situation that cannot be ignored. Despite just arriving in Dallas, Irving can opt out and join LeBron in Los Angeles in just a few months.
Could the pick have been a preview of what’s to come next season?
Lebron and kyrie reunion has finally happened 🥲 https://t.co/xYHjahgujE
— • (@OwnedByKyrie) February 20, 2023
Two other interesting moments:
LeBron picking Kyrie Irving second among the starters – perhaps a preview of what's to come this summer
Nikola Jokic just putting himself on LeBron's team when he and Lauri Markkanen were the only two players left. https://t.co/UhI65dU0Kw
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 20, 2023
LeBron had to go Kyrie 2nd because he's hoping Kyrie comes to the Lakers next season.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 20, 2023
LeBron drafted Kyrie and they embraced on stage 😭🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/oNIe5rn9Hn
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 20, 2023
Luka doncic seeing lebron and kyrie have a handshake still pic.twitter.com/Ae7QJjuJ5R
— John (@iam_johnw) February 20, 2023
Cavs fans watching LeBron and Kyrie together at the All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/SUJbb3uffp
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) February 20, 2023
D’Angelo Russell watching LeBron draft Kyrie pic.twitter.com/Jy6D1ieHxQ
— 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕠 〰️ (@MANOMAGlC) February 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/DestroyingWrld/status/1627480548586270722
OF COURSE LEBRON TAKES KYRIE IRVING 😭 #NBAALLSTAR pic.twitter.com/VNiSVvfEyW
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) February 20, 2023
LeBron to Rob Pelinka after getting Kyrie on the same team:#LakeShow | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/iiu2XSlvsE
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) February 20, 2023
Of course, Kyrie’s future in the NBA is always under doubt. As one of the most polarizing and unpredictable players in the league, nobody can be certain what Kyrie will do next.
But it’s clear that he and LeBron are still tight despite their breakup in 2017. The way they embraced when James called his name was unmistakable, and Lakers fans are getting more and more confident that Irving will become a Laker pretty soon.
Is Kyrie Irving Heading To Los Angeles?
Kyrie is obviously a very controversial figure, but he had a lot of success with LeBron in Cleveland. Together, they formed one of the best duos in basketball and beat the 73-9 Warriors from down 3-1 to win the NBA championship.
Now, there is talk about them coming back together. Even though Rob Pelinka misses his opportunity to trade for him this season, you can’t rule out something happening in the summer.
“Me and Bron have grown as human beings, and he’s always going to be my brother,” Irving shared in his introductory press conference for the Mavericks. “I’m always going to have great things to say about him and his family but my focus is here. Unfortunately, the Lakers are doing what they’re doing and that’s it.”
Only time will tell what the future has in store for Irving and the lakers, but we won’t have to wait long to see how it plays out.
For now, though, we’ll just have to live with watching James and Irving playing together on All-Star weekend instead.
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