With news that the Brooklyn Nets are benching star guard Kyrie Irving while they explore trade possibilities, NBA fans everywhere are wondering where Irving might be playing next.Â
Perhaps the most intriguing possibility is rejoining forces with LeBron James – since the pair went to three NBA Finals and won once as members of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
After a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, James was asked if Irving could help the Lakers “get to the finish line” and he didn’t dismiss the idea of a possible reunion.
“That’s a Rob question,” James said, according to ESPN in reference to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. “I’ve told y’all a couple weeks, I don’t speak for our front office. My mindset is whatever lineup or whatever group that we have is to make sure we prepare ourselves the best way we can to go out and win. Obviously, that’s a – what’s the word you use – ‘duh’ question when you talk about a player like that.”
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According to USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt, if the Lakers were to trade for Irving, the Nets would likely have to take Russell Westbrook’s expiring contract, as well as another player, to make a deal work.Â
Still, there is some history to back up such a blockbuster.Â
James may have even referenced it in his comments on Saturday. When L.A. was looking to acquire Anthony Davis in December 2018, James said, “That would be amazing, like, duh. That would be incredible.”
Sure enough, the Davis trade was completed the following summer and the Lakers won the NBA title the following season.Â
In Saturday night’s loss to the Pelicans, James scored 27 points, leaving him 35 short of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA scoring record.
Story Credit: usatoday.com