'I Miss My Hermano': Kyrie Irving Opens Up About Luka Dončić Trade, Eyes Future With Anthony Davis

Kyrie Irving leads the Dallas Mavericks through a major transition after Luka Dončić's trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, aiming for unity and a championship.

Photo: Dallas Mavericks

PHILADELPHIA — Following a seismic shift in the NBA landscape that saw Luka Dončić traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kyrie Irving, now the de facto leader of the Dallas Mavericks, is navigating an emotionally charged period of adjustment. After a closely contested game against the Philadelphia 76ers, which ended in a 118-116 loss, Irving opened up about the trade's impact on him personally and on the team.

"Just really shocked, and you just don’t imagine that you’re going to get ready to go to sleep, and then you find out news like that. It’s still a grieving process right now. I miss my hermano," Irving shared. "We had a lot of time together, Kieff too, and Maxi. We built some bonds that went beyond the basketball court," Irving said, reflecting on the relationships formed with his teammates that extended far beyond the court. These bonds made the trade all the more challenging to accept.