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The Lakers are apparently not interested in trading LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks anytime soon.
On Monday, several reports claimed that Kyrie Irving was attempting to recruit LeBron to come to the Mavs this offseason.
Sources: Kyrie Irving has reached out to Lakers star LeBron James in attempts to see if James would come to Dallas. Irving is a free agent this offseason.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 5, 2023
Via Chris B. Haynes/ Bleacher Report
A new twist has emerged in the LeBron James-Kyrie Irving reunion plot, as league sources have told Bleacher Report Irving wants the Dallas Mavericks to explore trading for LeBron James this offseason to create a Big 3 alongside himself and Luka Doncic.
The Mavericks were preparing to make an offer for James last season when the Lakers were spiraling, sources say, despite James being ineligible for a trade last season due to the date of his extension. But the Lakers made a string of trades near the deadline that changed the trajectory of their season.
But any chance of forming a James-Irving-Doncic Big 3 under the NBA’s strict new Collective Bargaining Agreement will be difficult. The new CBA resembles a hard cap, making it very difficult to have three max players on a roster.
Lakers beat reporter Jovan Buha has reached out to team sources and many feel that a LeBron trade to Dallas is “unrealistic.” Buha is also reporter that the Lakers have no interest in acquiring Irving.
The Lakers maintained on Monday that they aren’t interested in adding Kyrie Irving, sources tell @jovanbuha.
One team source indicated that James is not using Irving’s interest in playing with him as leverage to try to get L.A. to trade for Irving.https://t.co/iFxImuOdQE
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 5, 2023
Via The Athletic
If James were to demand a trade, and the Lakers were to entertain offers, it would take more than a package of, say, Tim Hardaway Jr., Dāvis Bertāns, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 draft and another future first to get a deal done. The Lakers simply aren’t interested in what Dallas could offer in a trade, according to multiple team sources.
It appears that a Kyrie-LeBron will not be happening next season, if ever.