On Friday, the NBA’s trade landscape got a lot spicier when Kyrie Irving asked the Brooklyn Nets to trade him ahead of Feb. 9 deadline.
Instantly, the Lakers got involved, reportedly trying to work out a deal to reunite Irving with LeBron James, his former championship teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But it wasn’t meant to be, as Irving was quickly dealt to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2029 and two future second-round picks.
According to ESPN, the Lakers and Nets were trying to work something out until the Mavs swooped in around noon Sunday.
Via ESPN:
“The Lakers and Nets discussed possible Irving deals on Friday and Saturday, but ultimately the Mavericks’ package gave the Nets a better chance to surround Kevin Durant with players now — as well as the opportunity to acquire three draft picks, sources said. The Nets had been looking at three-way deals involving the Lakers before discussions with the Mavericks came together fairly quickly Sunday afternoon, sources said.
It’s back to the drawing board for LA, which suffered a disappointing 131-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that had been on a 10-game losing streak, on Saturday.
Lakers fans are understandably disappointed that Irving will not be headed to the Purple and Gold, although a few are glad the team did not trade for him, given the off-the-court headaches he has caused over the years.
Story originally appeared on LeBron Wire