Kyrie Irving learned how difficult it is to be the leader of a team this year when the Boston Celtics fell well short of expectations, but that does not necessarily mean he wants to go back to being the No. 2 behind LeBron James.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said last week that the possibility of joining LeBron with the Los Angeles Lakers is “on Kyrie’s radar.” One of the reasons was that Jason Kidd was considered a candidate to become the Lakers’ head coach, but Frank Vogel ended up getting the job. However, Kidd is joining Vogel’s staff.
Regardless of all that, Windhorst’s colleague Stephen A. Smith said Monday on “First Take” that sources close to Irving’s family told him there is no chance of a LeBron-Kyrie reunion.
“I got a text message from folks close to Kyrie’s family, within the hour, as we were teasing this subject. Quote: ‘There is no way in hell he’s going to LA. I don’t give a damn what anybody says, knock that down for us right now please. He ain’t going to LA,'” Smith said, via Nick Goss of NBC Sports. “That’s what they say.”
Smith then doubled-down on his previous reporting that the New York Knicks are the overwhelming favorite to sign both Irving and Kevin Durant this summer. He said people in Irving’s camp are trying to bring the Brooklyn Nets into the picture, but Irving wants the Knicks.
Irving made it clear this past season that he regrets the way he took his situation with LeBron for granted, but he’d probably prefer to play with Durant rather than James if he’s going to team up with another superstar.
