via Getty
DALLAS, TX – MAY 6: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense on Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game on May 6, 2021 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
via Getty
DALLAS, TX – MAY 6: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense on Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game on May 6, 2021 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving didn?t have a good season this year. He missed a lot of regular-season games. Even though the Nets sealed the playoff spot, they were swept in the first round by the Boston Celtics. And Irving struggled throughout the series. During the exit interview, Irving said that he would stay with the organization and even help the front office with some decisions.?
However, as soon as the season ended, reports about Kyrie Irving reuniting with LeBron James at the Los Angeles Lakers started to catch fire. With Russell Westbrook?s dismal season for the Lakers, the rumors made sense as both teams looked to move their stars. However, moving two superstars is easier said than done.?
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A few other teams were also reported to be interested in Irving?s services, including the Dallas Mavericks. After losing Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks recently, the Mavericks require someone to shoulder the scoring burden with Luka Doncic. And Irving would likely be a definite upgrade to Brunson. However, as per reports, the Mavs might not go for Kyrie Irving.?
.@espn_macmahon this past Friday on Kyrie Irving:
"I have heard that Mavericks were kind of – I’ll say doing due diligence…. I ran it by somebody who has some influence with the Mavericks and got a profane reply in shooting it down.”
🔗 https://t.co/72LpbbkURV pic.twitter.com/WjY7WWqrik
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) July 3, 2022
Discussing the 2022 free agency in the Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective podcast, Tim MacMahon said, ?I have heard that Mavericks were kind of ? I?ll say doing due diligence… I ran it by somebody who has some influence with the Mavericks and got a profane reply in shooting it down.??
So it looks like one less competition for the Lakers in their pursuit of Kyrie Irving.
The Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook exchange deal
The LeBron-Kyrie reunion rumors are still here. It was reported that the Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers are actively engaged in trade discussions. If this exchange deal goes through, it will also make Russell Westbrook reunite with Kevin Durant.?
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After playing together for the Oklahoma City Thunder for so many years, it will be interesting to see how they?d operate on the same team again. It will also give Westbrook a chance to prove what he is capable of with the ball in his hand. And Kevin Durant isn?t someone who needs to have the ball all the time. Even though he can create his own shots, he is a great catch and shooter as well.
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On the other hand, Irving and LeBron James are a proven partnership. They have played three NBA Finals together and won a title for the Cleveland Cavaliers. But LeBron James has previously admitted that some of Irving?s comments after he left have hurt him. So it will be interesting to see how the superstars would bury their patchy past to play together again if given the chance.?
