NBA Insider: LeBron James Still 'Likes Idea' of Reuniting with Kyrie Irving

Despite Kyrie Irving re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year deal, his former teammate, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, might still want to team up with him.

Heading into the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks’ main focus was to re-sign All-Star Kyrie Irving, and they accomplished that goal. Irving signed a three-year, $126 million contract to return to Dallas, and the Mavericks secured their second star alongside Luka Doncic for years to come. … Or did they?

Prior to Irving signing his new deal, speculation ran rampant throughout the league on whether the Los Angeles Lakers would make a run at Irving, who could’ve reunited with former champion running mate LeBron James. 

Despite showing interest in each other before Irving was dealt to Dallas at last season’s trade deadline, the Lakers didn’t have the proper cap space to sign Irving outright, nor did the Mavericks seem willing to partake in a sign-and-trade. 

On Friday’s episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, Windhorst and crew spoke on James’ announcement that he isn’t yet retiring and added the assumption that the Lakers superstar still yearns for reunion with Irving. 

“I will say this. I do think LeBron has an interest in playing with Kyrie Irving again,” Windhorst said. “I think he likes the idea of playing with Kyrie, the concept of playing with Kyrie and Anthony Davis. I have long said the best big-man pairing that LeBron’s ever had, as far as pure fit, is Anthony Davis. I believe the best guard pairing LeBron’s ever had is Kyrie Irving.”

Windhorst isn’t wrong — it’s highly likely that James would still love to add Irving to his already lethal duo with Anthony Davis, but again, at what cost for the Mavericks?

The ink on Irving’s newly-signed contract has yet to dry, and Laker fans are already licking their chops for a trade to take place in the near future — one where Los Angeles would try to pawn off the contract of D'Angelo Russell and whomever else James is content with losing.

With Irving’s track record, you can’t blame Lakers enthusiasts, like Windhorst, for dreaming. As for the Mavericks, though, the plan is for Irving to be in Dallas for the long term. And who knows … perhaps James will see a brighter future ahead with Doncic, Irving and Dallas than he currently has with Davis in L.A. 

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