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We've got our latest update on LeBron James' free agency ... and the Dallas Mavericks are connected again.
The most-recent report on James' search for a new team revolves around Mavs guard Kyrie Irving and Washington Wizards big man Anthony Davis.
James is apparently now waiting to see if any of his rumored destinations — the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors or Philadelphia 76ers — can acquire Irving or Davis, reuniting either star with the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
One immediate hurdle is that neither Irving nor Davis appears to be available.
Here's what Dallas' new head coach, Dusty May, said of Irving during his introductory press conference:
"Kyrie knows what it takes to win a championship, so as a first-time NBA coach, I'm going to lean on him in a lot of areas," May said via Ron Harrod Jr. "He's one of the greatest point guards to ever play our game. He's a jazz musician, so I can't wait to be around him every day and just help him on his journey."
READ MORE: Mavericks' Naji Marshall Earns Major Respect in New Ranking
So, at least for now, it doesn't appear Irving is going anywhere. As for Davis?
Wizards GM Will Dawkins has shut down any possibility of the veteran center being moved countless times.
"We kind of don't worry too much about that stuff. Like AD's in D.C. and wants to be in D.C., we're going to keep them there. I think the important thing for us is just building on the summer and kind of making sure we're ready to go at the beginning of the year," Dawkins said earlier this month.
Now, let's digest this development logistically for a second.
Dallas and Washington aren't just going to trade pillars of their roster because James or Rich Paul wants them to. There would need to be a substantial compensation package sent back for either star.
READ MORE: Ryan Nembhard Trade Shows Mavericks' Faith in Sergio De Larrea
And if that were to happen, can anyone say with certainty that a Cavaliers, Heat, Warriors or 76ers roster — after exhausting valuable assets to acquire Irving or Davis — would actually be better on paper than if James simply signed with the Mavericks or Wizards?
Both franchises already have some of the league's best young talent while also employing the two players James has reportedly identified as preferred teammates.
If the goal is maximizing James' championship odds, the shortest path may not be convincing another contender to gut its roster. It may simply be joining the one that already has what he wants.
Washington would be a shock to everyone, but Paul did include Dallas on his whiteboard of James' potential landing spots.
Maybe James doesn't need another team to make the first move ... and maybe Irving and Cooper Flagg need to get back to recruiting.
Continue reading...
The most-recent report on James' search for a new team revolves around Mavs guard Kyrie Irving and Washington Wizards big man Anthony Davis.
James is apparently now waiting to see if any of his rumored destinations — the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors or Philadelphia 76ers — can acquire Irving or Davis, reuniting either star with the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
One immediate hurdle is that neither Irving nor Davis appears to be available.
Here's what Dallas' new head coach, Dusty May, said of Irving during his introductory press conference:
"Kyrie knows what it takes to win a championship, so as a first-time NBA coach, I'm going to lean on him in a lot of areas," May said via Ron Harrod Jr. "He's one of the greatest point guards to ever play our game. He's a jazz musician, so I can't wait to be around him every day and just help him on his journey."
READ MORE: Mavericks' Naji Marshall Earns Major Respect in New Ranking
So, at least for now, it doesn't appear Irving is going anywhere. As for Davis?
Wizards GM Will Dawkins has shut down any possibility of the veteran center being moved countless times.
"We kind of don't worry too much about that stuff. Like AD's in D.C. and wants to be in D.C., we're going to keep them there. I think the important thing for us is just building on the summer and kind of making sure we're ready to go at the beginning of the year," Dawkins said earlier this month.
Now, let's digest this development logistically for a second.
Dallas and Washington aren't just going to trade pillars of their roster because James or Rich Paul wants them to. There would need to be a substantial compensation package sent back for either star.
READ MORE: Ryan Nembhard Trade Shows Mavericks' Faith in Sergio De Larrea
And if that were to happen, can anyone say with certainty that a Cavaliers, Heat, Warriors or 76ers roster — after exhausting valuable assets to acquire Irving or Davis — would actually be better on paper than if James simply signed with the Mavericks or Wizards?
Both franchises already have some of the league's best young talent while also employing the two players James has reportedly identified as preferred teammates.
If the goal is maximizing James' championship odds, the shortest path may not be convincing another contender to gut its roster. It may simply be joining the one that already has what he wants.
Washington would be a shock to everyone, but Paul did include Dallas on his whiteboard of James' potential landing spots.
Maybe James doesn't need another team to make the first move ... and maybe Irving and Cooper Flagg need to get back to recruiting.
Continue reading...
