The Dallas Mavericks had an inspiring season. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving found their melody on the court and raised them to the first Finals since 2011. It came just a season after they missed the playoffs completely. The tandem was stunning throughout the journey, up until the Finals, where the Boston Celtics exposed some key weaknesses in their lineup. The painful loss has put an obsessive desire over the franchise, one that will only be completed with a title. The question is, can Doncic and KAI quench this thirst alone, or is there a pressing need for another star to solidify their title aspirations?

Speaking on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike, Evan Cohen suggested it’s time for the Mavericks to part ways with Irving only a season into his three-year extension. Cohen believes “you got the best out of him this year. Asking that again of him, I don’t buy that’s going to happen”. The ESPN reporter wants to see the Mavericks open business with the Los Angeles Lakers, who previously tried to lure the 31-year-old in the offseason. “I think they will give you everything outside of LeBron and AD that you would want” Cohen suggested.

The rumors of Irving being a Laker were running rampant before he signed with the Mavericks. He had been to their playoff game and there was his sweet history with LeBron James. After their first-round exit, the Purple and Gold are searching to make a blockbuster move to add a third star besides their star duo. Irving is a successful assassin when playing with James. The Lakers would be wise to make a move on him as it not only increases their chances at the coveted championship but also provides them with some safeguard when James leaves as Irving can continue playing with Anthony Davis.

The only complication is Irving’s incredible relationship with Luka Doncic. There have been more than a handful of times that the Slovenian has expressed his admiration for the ball-handling king. He feels indestructible with Irving on the court, a sentiment that was resonant when Doncic said “we have KAI” when they faced the Clippers in the first-round series.

The crafty and elegant scorer was on song during the 2023-24 campaign for the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 25.6 points on outstanding efficiency for a guard of his size. Moreover, his relentless hunger to score only grew in the postseason where Irving was mesmeric until he battled the suffocating defense of Boston.

The offseason is bound to be riveting. Make sure to have some popcorn handy.

LeBron James still wants to play with Kyrie Irving

When James and Irving commanded Cleveland together, they seemed like an inseparable pair. The 20-time All-Star was grooming Irving to be his heir even professing Irving has the skillset to be the MVP. Even though they had a sour breakup in 2017, the Akron Hammer’s views about Irving haven’t changed.

When the Mavericks were battling against the Timberwolves, KAI proved to be the ultimate X-Factor. He tortured the best defense in the league and went ballistic when needed. Seeing this, LeBron James commended the enigmatic guard for his basketball purity. “I would call Kyrie ‘The Wizard’ all the time. There was nothing on a basketball floor that Kyrie couldn’t do” he told J Reddick.

But it wasn’t before he expressed his regret of ever having to part ways with the impossible shot maker. “Sitting here watching it, I’m so f*****g happy and so proud to watch him continue his growth. And at the same time, I’m so f—ing mad that I’m not his running mate anymore. I just remember those times”, James said while reminiscing his times with a younger and equally exquisite Irving.

They both share an incredible bond and mutual respect for one another. Irving too was appreciative of his comments and in the past even claimed he was open to being a Laker during the offseason. Can this finally be the opportunity Rob Pelinka seizes to reunite the sensational tandem?

But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese.