The Los Angeles Lakers were holding their final two trade assets for a big-name star, and many thought that star would become Kyrie Irving.
The Purple and Gold have ties with Irving that go back to last summer when they surfaced as his primary trade preference. When Irving requested a trade again last week, it gave the Lakers another chance at snagging the former NBA Champion.
Sadly for Lakers Nation, Rob Pelinka failed to offer the right package and lost Irving to the Mavs for a deal centered around Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Lakers are obviously crushed by the development — and so is LeBron James, who pretty much publicly campaigned for his team to trade for Irving. But in the aftermath of the deal, Kyrie says his only focus is on helping his current team (the Mavericks) reach the height of their potential.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Irving said, “but I think you heard in this interview. As much of the what-ifs as I’d like to focus on and cherish what could have been or should have been, I have to shift my focus to what we have going on here. That’s what brings me peace, just taking care of what I can control and really embracing my teammates .”
Similar to one of his early Brooklyn interviews, Irving also called himself out as a leader along with the coaches and front office.
He also made sure to show LeBron some love toward the end.
“Me and Bron have grown as human beings, and he’s always going to be my brother,” Irving noted. “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.”
Kyrie on hearing LeBron wanted him on the Lakers, via @NotoriousOHM
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 7, 2023
When Irving left LeBron in 2017, nobody imagined they’d ever reunite as teammates. LeBron and the Lakers almost made that a reality this week but couldn’t pull it off in the end.
What’s Next For The Lakers After Missing Out On Kyrie?
Since Irving will not be coming to save the day, the Lakers will have to look somewhere else for help around LeBron and Anthony Davis. So far, the Raptors and Jazz have emerged as potential trade partners.
But unless the Purple and Gold make a move soon, this season may be a lost cause. The West is deep, and it just got better with the new duo in Texas.
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