“We gave you Russ, we’re not gonna give you Kyrie back” – LeBron James’ second ‘bad decision’ will get DECLINED, claims analyst

LeBron James has Kyrie Irving reunion on his mind, but Lakers front office expected to pose hindrance


“We gave you Russ, we’re not gonna give you Kyrie back” – LeBron James’ second ‘bad decision’ will get DECLINED, claims analyst

Shannon Sharpe (L- Image via New York Post), LeBron James (C- Image via Britannica) and Skip Bayless (R- Image via Penn Live)

On the latest segment of the UNDISPUTED, Skip Bayless gave a harsh reality check to LeBron James on the demand he made to Rob Pelinka to acquire Kyrie Irving.

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LeBron James and the Lakers willed a late regular season run after the trade deadline, ending the season on a 17-9 run and getting swept in the Western Conference Finals. The turning point for the Lakers was when they traded Russell Westbrook and co. to acquire Vanderbilt, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasly, and Rui Hachimura. These additions were vital for the Lakers in the Playoffs giving the team the much-needed depth and spacing on offense.

New reports have shown that LeBron James is pushing the front office to sign Kyrie Irving and Skip Bayless has something to say about it: “Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss are gonna say: ‘LeBron, we gave you Russ, we’re not gonna give you Kyrie back. Not doing it again’ “. Comparing the situation to the previous signing of Russell Westbrook, taking a shot at James’ involvement in the signing back in 2021: “Of all the decisions, all the basketball decisions LeBron has ever made that’s the one that jars me the most … Doesn’t fit, doesn’t work … it was an unmitigated disaster.”

Westbrook in his time with the Lakers averaged 17.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds in 130 games but underwent major issues with the lineup lacking spacing and shooting. After the trade deadline, the main issues of Purple and Gold were fixed, adding depth in the form of Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell.

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Although the two new additions stepped up the season for the Lakers, LeBron James is still expected to push for Uncle Drew. Analyst Skip Bayless gave an insight on the same. “I do have a gut feeling that LeBron would prefer Kyrie as much as he likes Austin Reaves and Rui and what they did for him this year … you give me all-time star, firepower.”

Related: LeBron James behind Shannon Sharpe’s BREAKUP with Skip Bayless? Analyst’s relationship with Lakers superstar reportedly one of the reasons for exit from Undisputed

Do LeBron James’ Lakers need Kyrie Irving?

Kyrie Irving is one the best combo guards in the league, averaging 27.1pts, 5.1rpg, 5.5apg, and 61.3 TS%. Irving is currently playing for the Mavericks but declared himself open to the trade market. Combined with that, the Lakers have been eyeing Irving’s situation as far back as the last trade deadline.

The addition of the Mavericks guard would add offensive firepower to the Lakers lineup. However, for a potential trade to be completed, the Lakers’ latest additions could be on the line of getting traded.

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Here is a hypothetical trade – Lakers receive: Kyrie Irving; Mavericks receive: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2023 first-round selection. This would be a double sign-and-trade deal, with the Lakers and Mavericks signing the respective guards that would be dealt.

A trade for a controversial guard who can’t seem to keep his shoes on the court, while giving up their youth and depth, leaves a big question mark on the Lakers’ front office this summer.

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