How Lakers Fans Reacted to Kyrie Irving’s Trade to Dallas Mavericks

How Lakers Fans Reacted to Kyrie Irving’s Trade to Dallas Mavericks

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:25 PM
  • There ere mixed reactions in the Lakers fan base after Kyrie Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks from the Brooklyn Nets
  • Many Lakers fans were hoping the guard would join LeBron James to boost their chances of winning the title
  • Irving joins MVP candidate Luka Doncic and is hoping to make a run for the NBA title

Kyrie Irving's trade to the Dallas Mavericks is not something Lakers fans wanted to see. Most of them expected general manager Rob Pelinka to acquire LeBron James' former teammate.

However, the Mavericks beat the 2020 NBA champions to his signature just days before the trade deadline. The 30-year-old guard had plenty of suitors, including LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns.

Kyrie Irving, NBA, leBron James, Lakers, Nets, Mavericks
Lakers fans wanted Irving to join LeBron James. Photos by Dustin Satloff and Maddie Meyer.
Source: Getty Images

The Mavericks sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two second rounders in 2027 and 2029 for Irving and Markieff Morris.

The former Boston Celtics star now forms a potent partnership with franchise player Luka Doncic who led the team to the Western Conference. Many Lakers fans were not happy with the trade.

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James is having an excellent season and with Anthony Davis persistent injury problems, they need another star to elevate the team to championship status before the deadline.

How Lakers fans reacted to Irving's trade

Lakers and Irving's representatives, led by his agent, Shetellia Riley Irving held talks on a potential deal last year, according to the Athletic.

However, the deal encountered several roadblocks, including Irving opting into the final year of his Nets contract and Russell Westbrook's $47 million expiring contract. Here's how Lakers fans reacted.

@Ajxniofficial:

"Lakers better spin the block on the pacers and offer up that first or this team will not make the playoffs."

@ryangsellslv:

"This hurts like an NBA finals game loss."

@zedcreative:

"Lakers need new ownership and a new GM. Blow it up and start the rebuilding process under new management."

@mmmmyyyyy09:

"Smart to not trade imo. He can come in free agency, and they save the picks. Stop looking short term."

@Michxelcud:

"The team plummeting down the standings with lebron playing at an all time level and AD finally catching a rhythm they decided that there was untouchable players on this roster."

@ThomasConyers5:

"I don’t blame the lakers, to me the Nets got a bad deal from the Mavericks."
LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, NBA, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers with Kyrie Irving #11 after the game. Photo by Matteo Marchi.
Source: Getty Images

Doncic is averaging 33.4 points, while Irving is averaging 27.1 points per game in the NBA this season.

Irving celebrates James

Sports Brief earlier reported on Irving paying tribute to LeBron James who is on the brink of NBA history.

James is expected to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the NBA's all-time scoring list at some point this month.

Irving said James should be celebrated because he has dominated the NBA for 20 seasons. Irving and James pulled off the impossible, coming from 3-1 down to win the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.