A lot of the talk about LeBron James potentially teaming up with Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving was just that — talk.
More accurately, James may have wanted to play alongside one of his former teammates, but their teams never seriously considered moving them, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. That would be the Mavericks with Irving and Wizards with Davis.
Irving was linked to the Cavaliers, including speculation about a potential swap involving James Harden. But the teams never discussed such a scenario, sources said. Dallas likely would have hung up the phone if the Cavs called with such an offer.
Nothing against Harden, but the Mavericks appear to be looking forward to pairing reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg with Irving. Irving, for his part, seems plenty excited about the possibility. He clearly took Flagg under his wing last season while sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Wizards just acquired Davis at the February trade deadline and fully intend to see what develops with Davis, Trae Young, No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and former No. 2 pick Alex Sarr on the roster.
Davis has predicted that normally woeful Washington will win “40-plus” games, and the organization seems aligned with that thinking.
So while Irving and Davis became part of the seemingly endless James rumor mill, neither was actually headed anywhere.
James ultimately signed with Philadelphia, agreeing to take the largest pay cut in NBA history for another shot at a championship.
Irving and Davis remained right where they were. By all accounts, that’s where they’ll stay.
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