Kyrie Irving addressed the surprising commerce of Luka Doncic to the Lakers for the primary time after the Mavericks’ 1118-116 loss to the 76ers on Tuesday, telling reporters that he was “actually shocked” and nonetheless within the “grieving course of” over what transpired.
Dallas has dropped its first two video games for the reason that commerce went down, however Irving didn’t seem within the Sunday loss to the Cavaliers, making Tuesday the primary time he spoke to the media for the reason that blockbuster.
“Simply actually shocked. You simply don’t think about that you simply’re gonna prepare to fall asleep and discover out information like that,” Irving instructed reporters. “So nonetheless the grieving course of proper now. I miss my hermano. We had a whole lot of time collectively — [Markieff Morris] too, and [Maxi Kleber]. We simply constructed some bonds that went past the basketball courtroom. If anyone can perceive at dwelling, when somebody or just a few individuals go away in a commerce it’s gonna be tough, and that’s what we’re coping with proper now.”
The commerce caught your complete basketball world off guard and has created dissatisfaction among the many group’s followers, who’ve been vocally protesting the group’s entrance workplace.
The deal despatched Doncic, Kleber and Morris to the Lakers with Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round choose going again to Dallas.
The Jazz additionally picked up two second-round picks and Jalen Hood-Schifino within the wild deal.
Iriving now mentioned it’s time for him to “modify” to the brand new actuality.
“This can be a enterprise. It’s method above my pay grade,” Irving mentioned. “Kinda simply gotta modify and be able to welcome in my new teammates with open arms and kinda be prepared to return to Dallas to talk in entrance of our followers. I do know they’re feeling it too — I’m feeling it too, guys. It’s simply an adjustment interval.
“I don’t wanna downplay this both or disrespect our new guys, they’re gonna assist us win and assist us construct in the direction of a championship. However similar to everybody else at dwelling, kinda see it from afar, it hurts.”
The Mavs will play another recreation on the highway Thursday in Boston earlier than they return to American Airways Middle on Saturday for his or her first dwelling recreation for the reason that commerce.
Clippers on Feb. 4, 2025. NBAE through Getty Pictures
Followers are anticipated to carry one other protest to specific their displeasure over the commerce, based on posts on-line.