Can Kyrie Irving Stats Explode by Recruiting LeBron James?

Because Life Is Not Only About Kyrie Irving Stats…

In a surprising turn of events, Kyrie Irving has reportedly reached out to his former teammate LeBron James, hoping to lure him to the Dallas Mavericks. While the NBA Finals captivate fans, the rumor mill is steadfastly churning using the upcoming free agency frenzy. And what better way to start speculation than with Irving’s brazen pitch to join forces with King James in Dallas?

Of course, rumors are just rumors, and the likelihood of this fantastical reunion happening is about as realistic as finding Waldo in your backyard. Irving is set to become an unrestricted free agent, with the Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers vying for his services. But it seems Irving wants it all – remaining in Dallas and teaming up with his buddy LeBron.

Hypothetical Dream Team

Let’s not forget their history together. Irving and James achieved the impossible, snatching an NBA championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and boosting the already-majestic Kyrie Irving stats dazzlingly. Despite their tumultuous breakup and Irving’s trade request to the Boston Celtics, whispers of their desire to reunite on the court have persisted. When Irving made noise about leaving the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season, the Lakers had their eyes on him, but the Mavericks swooped in with a better offer.

The road to this hypothetical Mavericks dream team, however, is paved with countless obstacles. LeBron is still under contract with the Lakers, and prying him away would require a Herculean effort. The Mavericks would need to navigate a complex sea of trade involving substantial financial resources in order to absorb James’ massive salary. It’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole…

Tantalizing Prospect, But…

Sure, if the stars align and Dallas manages the unimaginable, their roster would transform overnight. Irving, Doncic, and LeBron would form a Big Three that would strike fear into opponents’ hearts. After a disappointing season where the Mavericks missed the playoffs, this superstar trifecta could revitalize the team and launch them back into contention. It’s a tantalizing prospect that Dallas has flirted with before, reportedly preparing a trade offer for James last season when the Lakers were struggling.

But let’s get real for a moment: there are more obstacles still. The likelihood of LeBron donning a Mavericks jersey is slim to none. James recently expressed thoughts of retirement following the Lakers’ playoff exit, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be heading to Dallas. The Lakers have no incentive to trade him, especially after reaching the Western Conference finals. Their focus is building around their superstar, not dismantling the very foundation that led them to success.

And even if the Mavericks had the means to pursue this grand scheme, the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement throws a wrench into their plans. The financial constraints and restrictions imposed on teams above the salary cap make assembling a championship-caliber roster an uphill battle. The Mavericks would be walking a tightrope, desperately trying to balance their books while hoping for miracles.

Contract Buyout Hiccups

James is currently bound by a contract with the Lakers for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, which prevents him from directly signing with the Mavericks. However, there is a report from Chris Haynes suggesting an improbable scenario where James could potentially reach a contract buyout agreement with the Lakers. This would make him a free agent if he successfully clears the waivers.

The contract buyout is a process in the NBA where a player and the franchise mutually agree for the player to give up a portion of their salary in exchange for release from the contract. This allows the player the freedom to sign with another NBA team. After the buyout, the player is placed on waivers, where the other 29 teams in the league have 48 hours to claim the player. If no team claims the player during this period, they become an unrestricted free agent and can sign a new contract with any team.

In the specific case of James potentially joining the Mavericks through a buyout, the Mavericks would need to hope that the nine teams ranked higher in the waiver order do not claim him. Given that Dallas finished with the 10th-worst record in the league, they would have to wait for the Pistons, Rockets, Spurs, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Magic, Pacers, Wizards, and Jazz to pass up on James before having the opportunity to sign him.

Moreover, it is important to point out that this scenario of James reaching a buyout agreement and joining the Mavericks seems highly unlikely, even in today’s player empowerment era in the NBA.

Irving Hurls the Karma Attack at Dave Portnoy

Irving and Dave Portnoy, the mastermind behind Barstool Sports, are engaged in a heated exchange that’s grabbing headlines and turning heads. It all actually began when Irving left the Celtics to join the Nets back in 2019, and Portnoy wasted no time in expressing his dislike for the point guard in a blog titled “I Have A Confession To Make – I Hate Kyrie Irving.” It was the beginning of a rivalry that has only intensified with time.

The latest twist in this saga emerged with this Irving-LeBron rumor. Seizing the opportunity to take a jab at Irving, Portnoy tweeted eight clown emojis, remarking, “It’s amazing how many seemingly intelligent people fall for the Kyrie scam”. But Irving, never one to back down, fired back hours later with a warning wrapped in a tweet: “Make sure you’re taking care of yourself David. You can only run your mouth for so long before Karma catches up. Be well”.

The back-and-forth banter continued as Portnoy remained unfazed by Irving’s warning, responding with a GIF of a fake-scared Bill Murray from the movie “Kingpin”. The two continued their jabs, with Portnoy using the NBA Finals as an opportunity to take a shot at Irving, praising the Miami Heat’s teamwork and contrasting it with what he perceives as the negative behavior of certain star players.

It’s clear that Irving and Portnoy have some bad blood between them, with Portnoy even promoting a shirt in Celtics colors listing Irving’s name alongside enemies like Putin, ISIS, and Kim Jong-Un. Irving’s departure from the Nets and subsequent impact on the Mavericks’ playoff chances only fueled the fire, adding another layer of tension to this ongoing feud. News for you, Dave: that ain’t gonna hurt the Kyrie Irving stats out there.

So, Why the Rumor?

Let’s face it: LeBron James almost certainly won’t be joining the Mavericks. So why does this rumor matter? Well, it shines a spotlight on Irving’s persistent desire to reunite with his former partner-in-crime. The fact that he’s actively recruiting LeBron to Dallas speaks volumes. There’s still a flicker of hope for this dynamic duo to team up again, but it’s more likely to happen in Los Angeles than in the Lone Star State.

Brace yourselves, then, for the flurry of rumors that will undoubtedly surround this improbable saga. Free agency looms, and with it comes a bevy of wild scenarios that might unfold. Just remember, folks, it’s the NBA offseason – where dreams are dreamt, rumors run rampant, and reality takes a backseat and a beer. Of course.

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