Following Friday’s trade request by Kyrie Irving, the Los Angeles Lakers attempted to trade for him and become championship contenders for the first time in a couple of years.
But that pursuit ended about 48 hours later when the Brooklyn Nets agreed to send him to the Dallas Mavericks.
There is no doubt LeBron James was hoping for L.A. to land Irving, not only because of the immense skills he would’ve brought the team, but also because the two won an NBA championship together as members of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
In an interview with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, James admitted he’s disappointed, but he also said that he has immediately shifted his focus back to the team as it’s presently constituted.
"Definitely disappointing… We had an opportunity, it didn't happen… we finish this season strong & try to get a bid into the postseason where I feel, when healthy, we can compete with anybody."
LeBron James on the Lakers not getting Kyrie Irvingpic.twitter.com/f79FOQwrlr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 6, 2023
The Lakers will have until 3 p.m. New York time on Thursday to make a trade and improve their chances of making the playoffs. They’re currently two games behind the Utah Jazz, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference.
