LeBron James responds to Kyrie Irving-Lakers rumors: ‘Duh’

Rumors of potential destinations for Kyrie Irving have swirled since the Nets star demanded a trade, and the only option that would create a reunion – the Lakers and former Cavaliers teammate LeBron James – would also give Los a boost. Angeles.

“Obviously it’s a — what’s the word you use — a ‘duh’ question when you’re talking about a player like that,” James said after the Lakers’ loss to the Pelicans on Saturday night, according to ESPN.

When asked if Irving could be the player who boosts the Lakers’ chances of winning their second NBA title in the last four seasons, James initially responded by saying it was a question for general manager Rob. Pelinka – “you gotta see it when y’all get back to LA,” he told reporters.

“I told you all a few weeks [ago], I’m not speaking for our front office,” James continued. “My mindset is that whatever roster or squad we have, we make sure we prepare in the best possible way to go out and win.”

James and Irving were teammates for three seasons in Cleveland. They paired up from 2014 to 2017, and in 2016 they led the Cavaliers to their first-ever title — coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Warriors. But their relationship soured to the point where Irving asked for a trade because he told Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert that “he wanted to play in a situation where he could be more of a focal point and he wouldn’t wanted to play alongside LeBron James more,” according to an ESPN article at the time.

This ultimately prompted a trade between the Celtics and Cavaliers. Irving spent the next two seasons in Boston before joining the Nets as a free agent.

But a bizarre and controversial tenure in Brooklyn could come to an abrupt end by Thursday. Irving surprised his teammates by asking for a trade, as some even found out about the news on Twitter, and he informed the team that he would be leaving in the offseason if he wasn’t moved by the deadline. Irving would like a long-term extension that teams are reluctant to provide, according to ESPN.

The Lakers, Mavericks, Heat and Suns have all emerged as possible options for Irving, according to the Post’s Brian Lewis, but Dallas is reportedly debating whether Irving and star Luka Doncic — and their respective personalities — would be a good fit or not.

Irving missed Brooklyn’s game on Saturday with right calf pain, but the Nets recovered and defeated the Wizards, 125-123, behind career-best performances from Cam Thomas (44 points) and Edmond Sumner (29 points). ). Irving, 30, has averaged 27.1 points per game this season. Irving plans to sit out the rest of the season if the Nets don’t trade him, Brian Lewis reported Sunday.

The Lakers currently sit 13th in the Western Conference with a 25-29 record, but they are just games away from jumping into a play-in spot for the playoffs.