When Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets last week, the immediate assumption was that we’ll see a reunion between LeBron James and Kyrie. LeBron seemingly welcomed the idea (while trying to avoid tampering), and the Nets had decided to sit Irving until a trade was made. The wheels were in motion.
It didn’t take long to pair Irving with one of the NBA’s best players either — it just wasn’t LeBron.
According to The Athletic, the Nets agreed to trade Irving on Sunday to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round pick and second-round picks. The trade meant that Irving will be playing in the same backcourt as Luka Doncic — a major boost to Dallas’ hopes in the West.
BREAKING: The Brooklyn Nets are trading Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round and multiple second-round picks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2023
It also meant that the Lakers’ efforts to trade for Kyrie were unsuccessful. And they actually tried, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Nets-Mavericks talks accelerated on a trade today, sources said. The Lakers and Nets had several conversations on a potential deal, but Nets preferred Mavs' package — getting back a point guard and wing to plug in now plus the future picks.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 5, 2023
That’s not going to make the trade sit any better with Lakers fans, but other NBA fans were already turning the Mavs trade into a Lakers roast.
This was how Twitter reacted
Lakers fans right now pic.twitter.com/8isMqM96TK
— Overtime (@overtime) February 5, 2023
lakers fans right now pic.twitter.com/C6c3sWy3xB
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) February 5, 2023
this fumble is gonna set the Lakers back for a long time
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) February 5, 2023
lakers fans rn pic.twitter.com/jOrSYlWRWz
— josh (@jshyb_) February 5, 2023
https://twitter.com/BolWrld/status/1622325832466272257
Lakers fans thinking they were getting Kyrie Irving for Russell Westbrook in the offseason and at the trade deadline is hilarious.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 5, 2023
Lakers fans rn 😭 pic.twitter.com/Js8U9rq4I9
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 5, 2023
lakers are never winning again pic.twitter.com/XsS8qckl8z
— Kev Mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) February 5, 2023
Pray for Lakers fans pic.twitter.com/VRaY4DGrRx
— Logan Reardon (@LoganReardon20) February 5, 2023
