LeBron James had been working behind the scenes for Kyrie Irving to join him with the Cleveland Cavaliers. League sources said the Dallas Mavericks showed no interest in trading Irving. Irving is believed to be comfortable remaining in Dallas.
The report comes from ESPN senior writer Vince Goodwill. James and Irving played together for the Cavaliers from 2014 to 2017. They helped Cleveland win the 2016 NBA championship.
James is currently a free agent after his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Cleveland is one of several teams linked to him this offseason. Sources indicated James viewed a reunion with Irving as a key factor in potentially returning to the Cavaliers.
The Mavericks have not engaged the Cavaliers in any trade discussions involving Irving. Irving signed with Dallas after previous stops with the Brooklyn Nets and other teams. He has expressed satisfaction with his situation in Dallas according to the sources.
Cleveland currently features a young core including players such as Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Adding Irving would have required a significant trade package. The Mavericks have prioritized keeping their roster intact for the upcoming season.
James and Irving shared the backcourt during their earlier years in Cleveland. Their partnership produced strong regular season records and playoff success. Irving later requested a trade away from the Cavaliers in 2017.
The current free agency period has seen multiple teams contact James. Cleveland remains among the options under consideration. No formal agreement has been reached on James next team. The Mavericks continue to list Irving as a key member of their lineup.