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

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.”

Through the trade, the Mavericks secured Anthony Davis and Max Christie, which Irving considers crucial for the team’s future. While there is excitement about those players, Irving made it clear to mention how the team is grieving over loving Dončić.

“This is a business. It’s way above my pay grade. I just got to adjust and be ready to welcome my new teammates with open arms and kind of be ready to go back to Dallas to speak in front of our fans,” Irving stated. “I know they’re feeling it. I’m feeling it, too, guys. It’s just an adjustment period. I don’t want to downplay this or disrespect our new guys. They’re going to help us win and help us build toward a championship. But just like everyone else at home, who kind of see it from afar, it hurts.”

On the flip side, in Los Angeles, Luka Dončić was greeted with enthusiasm at his first press conference as a Laker. He’s eager to play for an iconic brand such as the Lakers, and has appreciated the fan support he’s already received.

“This for me is a fresh start. I get to play in L.A,” Dončić said. “The fans are amazing. And I got the ocean here, so it’s a really big thing for me. But really, I’m really excited to be here.”

Back in Philadelphia, Irving delved deeper into his reaction to the trade, emphasizing the leadership role he now has to assume.

“Trying to figure out how I’m going to deal with all this and put my best foot forward as one of the leaders of the team,” Irving explained. “This is a weird case in NBA history to be part of. But it’s the nature of our business. And it is a ruthless business. You just got to be ready to pick up the pieces and still run toward the championship. That’s the ultimate goal why I play,.”

Irving is particularly optimistic about the new-look Mavericks’ outlook with Davis and is intrigued by what Max Christie can offer. As Irving views it, Davis’s impact is that of an MVP candidate.

“Getting AD, getting Max Christie, definitely helps my motivation and keeps my mentality very strong,” Irving said. “He’s a great player, Anthony Davis, in terms of an MVP candidate. And I’m going to help him as much as I can, not just on the court but off the court.”

As the Mavericks chart a new course without Dončić, Irving’s leadership will be crucial in fostering team unity and driving them toward their championship aspirations amid the complexities of navigating such a high-profile trade in the NBA. He remains confident in their outlook as they still aspire to win the championship.

“We’re putting the pieces together. The tone is improving just because everybody had questions and a little confusion,” Irving commented on the current state of the Mavericks’ locker room. He concluded with a note of resolve, “We’re just talking to each other and putting the game first and prepare and off the court some dinners we’ll have, make sure we connect and have the qualities of a championship team. Same vision, but guys in the locker room are a little different, and we’ll have to adjust. But we’ll be fine.”

Following their loss in Philadelphia, the Mavericks’ margin for error continues to get thinner; They are now 11th in the Western Conference with a 26-25 record.