How The Kyrie Irving Trade Impacted Miami Heat, LeBron James

Kyrie Irving’s request to leave the Brooklyn Nets was answered in a trade to the Dallas Mavericks. Irving was sent to Dallas in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a future first-round pick and multiple second-round picks.

Breaking: Kyrie Irving is being traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks to the Nets, sources told @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/zyRd4VulBw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 5, 2023

Many teams and fanbases were disappointed. But perhaps the most frustrated of all was LeBron James.

Maybe It’s Me
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 6, 2023

James played with Irving in Cleveland after winning back-to-back championships with the Miami Heat. James and Irving made three consecutive NBA Finals together for the Cavaliers. Irving was injured in 2015 but the two secured the championship the next season.

Some were anticipating a reunion between Irving and James in Los Angeles. James is having another superstar season but has little help, especially in the backcourt. Irving would’ve provided James with a consistent No. 2 outside of the injury-prone Anthony Davis.

However, the Lakers could not finalize a trade with the Nets. They made a push, offering multiple first round picks and even Russell Westbrook.

Sources: Brooklyn Nets received Los Angeles Lakers’ proposal that did include team’s two first-round picks (2027, 2029) and Phoenix Suns’ offer of Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and unspecified picks: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/cJuABbaYGy
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 6, 2023

Nets owner Joe Tsai was reportedly opposed to trading Irving to the Lakers, per NBA insider Marc Stein.

“The Nets also succeeded, as one source close to the process put it, in meeting one of the presumed objectives held by team owner Joe Tsai by sending Irving somewhere other than the Lakers — [Irving’s] preferred destination,” Stein reported.

Nets owner Joe Tsai's objective was to not send Kyrie to the Lakers, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/VXjbaAcjuZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 6, 2023

James’ frustration could have stemmed from Tsai’s reluctance to send Irving to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic will have another superstar to play with, elevating the standards for the Mavericks this season.

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.