Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Lebron James, NBA, LA Lakers
Joe Adams
There has been a new twist in the LeBron James-Kyrie Irving reunion plot, after reports claimed that Irving has reached out to the Lakers star over a possible move to the Dallas Mavericks.
Irving and James shared the court during their days playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and news of a potential reunion won't come as too much of surprise.
James made it clear in February that he'd be open to playing alongside his former teammate while rumours had linked Irving with a move to the Lakers.
Advert
However, a fresh report from NBA journalist Shams Charania claims that Irving is eager to recruit James for the Mavericks instead.
He told American TV show Up & Adams that "Kyrie Irving has reached out to LeBron James about whether LeBron would come to Dallas."
"We don't know if Irving is going to re-sign with the Mavericks yet, but LeBron, Kyrie, Luka [Doncic] is a big concept."
It is thought that the Mavericks were keen to make an offer for James last season, when the Lakers were struggling for form. However, as the their season improved, any potential deal fell by the wayside.
Advert
To add to the Maverick's issues, the NBA's strict new Collective Bargaining Agreement which forbids teams going above the salary cap, could make a deal near impossible, with household names Irving and Doncic already on the team.
Irving joined the Mavericks from the Brooklyn Nets in February, but securing him to a new deal is said to be the team's No. 1 priority this offseason.
Meanwhile, James is also allegedly considering retirement, having created a legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
There are plenty of hurdles the Mavericks would need to clear in order to pull of a historic trade for the four-time MVP, who has established a family life in Los Angeles since arriving in 2018.
Advert
Irving shared that he harboured some regrets about how he abruptly left James and the Cavaliers in 2017.
"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," he told the I Am Athlete podcast last year.
"I didn't know how to share my emotions. I didn't know how to do that. So instead of sharing, I isolated myself."