Mavericks' Kyrie Irving Keeping Close Contact With Lakers' Luka Doncic After Trade: Report

The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the hottest teams and are arguably the hottest team for the past month or so.

The Lakers have found their groove, and with the latest addition of superstar guard Luka Dončić, things seem to be trending upward for Los Angeles.

L.A. acquired Dončić on Feb. 1 in a move that no one saw coming, especially the 25-year-old superstar. In his introductory press conference in Los Angeles, he admitted that the move still shell-shocked him, and while time has passed, it is still an adjustment.

Dončić left a team he thought he would spend his entire career with, including his star backcourt mate, Kyrie Irving. Irving has received a ton of backlash throughout his career, but it is clear he and Dončić have a unique relationship.

So much so that according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Irving has stayed in touch with the five-time All-Star since the trade, checking on his emotional state more than anything.

REPORT: “Kyrie Irving has stayed in touch with [Luka] Doncic since the trade, checking on his emotional state more than anything. He feels protective of Doncic.”

(via @ramonashelburne, h/t @NationMffl) pic.twitter.com/KjrNrb48u4
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 27, 2025

Irving was clearly also affected by the trade, and he touched on it some more after his team faced the Lakers on Tuesday night.

"I don't think he expected the change, and I think that's probably what leads to him feeling his emotions even more so in a deeper way," Irving said. "Rejection, I think that's a strong word ... but sometimes it can feel like that.

"You got to go through your process of grieving. Grieving ... is not a word we use in NBA circles -- it's like, 'Just be tough, bro.' Everybody expects you to turn over the next page and get over it. The reality is, man, we're human too."

The trade shocked everyone involved, especially the Mavericks team and their fans. The fans have been vocal about it, and the players were just as shocked as the fans.

Irving and Dončić were only teammates for almost two seasons, but they've built a close relationship in that tenure. Last season was remarkable for the two as they led the Mavericks to their first NBA finals since 2011.

Irving could become a free agent this offseason, as he has a player option worth nearly $44 million for the 2025-26 season. He could decline that option and set himself up for one last big payday in his career, as he'd be eligible to sign a 5-year, $313 million extension this offseason.

There is a world in which Dončić does what he can to lure Irivng in, but only time will tell.

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