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In recent reports by Shams Charania, it has been revealed that Kyrie Irving, an unrestricted free agent this summer, has expressed his desire for the Dallas Mavericks to explore the possibilities of trading for LeBron James. The goal behind this potential move would be to form a formidable Big 3 consisting of Kyrie Irving, Luka Dončić, and LeBron James. It is worth noting that James and Irving enjoyed a successful stint together in Cleveland, culminating in their victory in the 2016 NBA Finals, where they became the only team in history to overcome a 3-1 deficit to defeat the record-breaking 73-9 Golden State Warriors. This partnership led the Cavaliers to three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals.
However, after an eventful 2017 offseason, Irving departed from Cleveland in a trade to the Boston Celtics. In a candid conversation on the “I Am Athlete” podcast last year, Irving expressed regret about his abrupt departure from James and the Cavaliers in 2017. He acknowledged that if he had possessed the maturity and self-awareness he has now, they would have achieved even greater success. Irving stated, “If I was in the same maturity line and understanding of who I am, and I look back, we definitely, definitely would’ve won more championships because there would’ve been a better man-to-man understanding about what I’m going through.”
Since Irving’s departure from Cleveland, he has played for the Brooklyn Nets before joining the Dallas Mavericks, while LeBron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and went on to win his fourth championship in 2020 against the Miami Heat. Nevertheless, LeBron’s tenure with the Lakers has been marked by turbulence, particularly in the past two seasons. The front office made the decision to acquire former MVP Russell Westbrook in an effort to alleviate the playmaking load on LeBron. However, this Westbrook trade resulted in the Lakers missing the playoffs in 2022 with a disappointing 33-49 record. The 2023 season began on a rocky note for the Lakers, with a 2-10 start and a 25-30 overall record before salvaging the season through roster changes, including the addition of players such as Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Mo Bamba.
Interestingly, reports suggest that during the Lakers’ turbulent start to the season, the Mavericks were preparing an offer to trade for LeBron, despite the impossibility of such a move due to the date of his contract extension. Currently 38 years old, LeBron is set to earn $46.9 million next season, with a player option of $50.6 million for the 2024-25 season. On the other hand, Irving, 31-years-old, is rumored to be eligible for a potential five-year max contract worth a staggering $272 million.
The addition of LeBron to the Mavericks would undoubtedly be a seismic blockbuster move that could reshape the NBA landscape. In his 20th NBA season, LeBron showcased his remarkable abilities by averaging 28.9 points per game, along with 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists. However, despite the excitement surrounding this possibility, it remains highly unlikely that LeBron will join the Mavericks due to financial constraints. Unless the Lakers buy out James or Irving orchestrates a sign-and-trade to Los Angeles on a lesser contract, the reunion between these two superstars may not come to fruition.
While the idea of reuniting with Kyrie Irving and forming a Big 3 in Dallas is enticing, the financial obstacles make this scenario highly improbable. Nonetheless, the mere speculation of such a trade showcases the intrigue and excitement that surrounds the NBA off-season, as fans and analysts alike.
For more sports coverage from MLB, NBA, NFL, to NCAA contact Julian Ojeda at 786-501-9082 or via email julian@communitynewspapers.com
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