LeBron’s cryptic tweet as ‘significant obstacle’ spoils Lakers’ dream trade and Kyrie reunion

When LeBron James talks, or on this case tweets, all people takes discover.

So, for all we all know, each preseason the Los Angeles Lakers famous person schedules a bunch of nonsensical tweets for random instances all year long understanding chaos will ensue.

The timing of his newest tweet although is simply too good not to have been intentional.

“Possibly It’s Me,” James posted within the wake of the Dallas Mavericks buying and selling for Brooklyn Nets All-Star guard and former teammate Kyrie Irving.

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If there’s anybody who could be one of the best guess at deciphering that cryptic publish it’s NBA insider Marc Stein, who posed the query of how James might react in his newest e-newsletter on Substack.

“Will LeBron view the Lakers’ lack of ability to amass Irving as a final straw that leads him to push for his exit from Lakerland … or did he maintain again on unreservedly vouching for Irving as a result of the soon-to-be main scorer in NBA historical past knew deep down that nobody actually can?” he wrote.

Stein anticipated the Lakers to strike a three-team take care of the Spurs and Nets that may see Irving reunite with James and Brooklyn get a mixture of veterans and future draft picks.

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There isn’t a concrete reporting at this stage as to how the Lakers responded to the Mavericks’ inclusion of Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith of their commerce provide to the Nets.

Though Stein wrote that “any measure of hesitancy” from L.A.’s aspect to get in a bidding struggle could be “comprehensible” given the luggage Irving brings with him.

For what it’s price, we do know whether or not James thought Irving might assist the Lakers flip their season round and even doubtlessly win a title.

In actual fact, the 38-year-old had provided only one phrase — “Duh” — in response to that query.

However in the meanwhile James will possible need to accept working with what he has acquired, with the Lakers having already traded for Rui Hachimura earlier than this week’s deadline.

L.A. appeared just like the logical vacation spot for Irving when he first demanded a commerce for Brooklyn, opening up the chance for the Nets guard to reunite with James.

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The Lakers had been hesitant to half methods with both of its two first-round picks until it was to assist land a famous person who would genuinely vault the franchise into title rivalry.

It’s why they didn’t use both of the picks in a possible deal for Myles Turner or Buddy Hield.

However in response to ESPN’s entrance workplace insider Bobby Marks, even the 2 first-round picks weren’t going to be the slam dunk in commerce talks just like the Lakers could have hoped.

“The 2 first-round picks that the Lakers needed to provide, Russell Westbrook and no matter younger gamers [they could offer] did nothing for the Nets,” he stated.

“Draft picks didn’t do something for Brooklyn primarily based on nonetheless having Kevin Durant on this roster.”

Additional to this, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that there was a “important impediment” within the early levels of talks between the Lakers and Nets.

In keeping with Amick, the Nets have been after a return that included two first-round picks (2027 and 2029) together with Russell Westbrook and two “promising younger gamers”, placing ahead Austin Reaves and Max Christie as examples.

The Lakers have been stated to be doubtlessly prepared to try this however provided that Irving assured to simply accept a two-year, $78.6 million extension as a part of the deal.

That may then marry up his contract with that of James, who’s signed with L.A. by way of the summer time of 2025, with a participant choice within the 2024-25 season.

That’s according to reporting from Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Occasions, who claimed on Sunday that there was rising “pessimism” that the Lakers would efficiently commerce for Irving.

“Irving is anticipated to hunt a four-year most contract, with the Lakers preferring a two-year deal, aligning with the 2 years remaining on James’ deal,” Woike wrote.

The Athletic although stories that Irving, who hits free company this summer time, “has been adamant” about wanting a full, four-year max deal nearing virtually $200 million ($A289m).

ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski additionally reported the Nets most well-liked what the Mavericks needed to provide in three future picks and, crucially, two real beginning choices in Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Finney-Smith is without doubt one of the league’s greatest 3-and-D wings whereas Dinwiddie presents a much-needed choice at guard to alleviate a few of scoring stress on Durant.

Add sooner or later picks and Brooklyn has property it may possibly work with to strike extra offers earlier than the deadline or sustain its sleeve to additionally proceed planning for the longer term.

Put merely, it has the Nets in a snug place the place they need to be ok to nonetheless contend and doubtlessly preserve Durant blissful so he doesn’t request one other commerce.

It’s not all doom and gloom for LeBron and the Lakers although.

Irving might nonetheless stroll away from the Mavericks in free company this summer time and find yourself at L.A.

Stein reported in his newest e-newsletter that L.A. was Irving’s “most well-liked vacation spot” however that one among Nets proprietor Joe Tsai’s “presumed aims” was ensuring he was not traded to the Lakers.

As for the place the Lakers might go this season, there’s unlikely to be anybody of Irving’s calibre on the commerce desk, though the Raptors nonetheless stay probably the most intriguing staff to look at ought to they determine to change into sellers on the deadline.

Toronto guard Fred VanVleet, Utah’s Mike Conley, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier and Houston’s Eric Gordon have all been talked about previously month as potential targets.

As Kyle Goon, a Lakers beat reporter put it, the “largest query” for the Lakers now could be whether or not the failed Irving bid might result in any fractions within the locker room — and extra particularly whether or not it might see Westbrook moved on earlier than the upcoming deadline.