Reports from The Athletic and Bleacher Report on June 5 indicated that Kyrie Irving has been trying to recruit LeBron James to join him on the Dallas Mavericks. However, one NBA insider believes this is a “non-story.”
Dave McMenamin, who covers the Los Angeles Lakers for ESPN, said on ESPN LA that the leak of Irving recruiting James isn’t coming from LeBron’s camp.
“This is a non-story,” McMenamin said. “If LeBron James had a different contract situation, perhaps we could begin to get into it. By me saying it’s a non-story, of course The Athletic and Bleacher Report are not making up what they’re printing. But what they’re being told, clearly this is not coming from LeBron James’ side of things. This is a one-man operation. This is from the Kyrie Irving camp.
“Clearly, people who are close to Kyrie Irving want this out there for a reason. That reason hasn’t shown itself quite yet.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
James signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last summer. There’s practically no way for the Mavericks to acquire LeBron from the Lakers via a trade. James would have to ask for a buyout from Los Angeles to sign with Dallas and that’s not going to happen.
Irving’s camp may have leaked this LeBron story as a negotiation tactic. Kyrie wants a max contract this summer in unrestricted free agency. If the NBA operates with a $134 million salary cap, Irving would be eligible to re-sign with the Mavericks on a five-year, $272 million contract. The eight-time All-Star averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with Dallas this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, LeBron James & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
“LeBron James had absolutely nothing to do with this story,” said McMenamin.
The Mavericks don’t plan to assist any other team in acquiring Irving, according to Tim Cato of The Athletic. All signs point toward Irving being in Dallas next season and James being in Los Angeles or retiring.
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