Kyrie Irving Mourns After Trade Doncic To Lakers: Kangen My Brother

Speaking for the first time in public since Dallas Mavericks surprisingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers on weekends, Kyrie Irving said it was still a grieving process.

Even so, Irving also said that he was happy with the prospect of finally being able to play with his old friend, Anthony Davis.

"Really surprised. You didn't imagine getting ready for bed and then you found out news like that."

"This is still a grieving process at this time. I miss my brother," Irving said after scoring 34 points in 42 minutes in defeat 118-116 to 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

In an atmosphere still confused around Mavericks after trading continued to resonate across the NBA, Irving was not asked a single question about today's game, which cost Dallas the opportunity to equalize or win at the last second.

In contrast, every question centers on Irving's reaction to the trade that sends Doncic to the Lakers for Davis.

In addition, journalists also flooded questions about his past relationship with the possibility of playing with Davis.

At some point, Irving explains that he is still sorting out his emotions over Doncic's departure after the two of them took Dallas to the NBA Final less than a year ago.

"This is a business, it's way above my salary. I just have to adjust and be prepared to welcome my new team-mates with open arms."

"I also have to prepare to return to Dallas, to speak in front of our fans."

"I know they feel it too. I feel it too, friends. So, yes, this is just a period of adjustment."

"I also don't want to belittle this or disrespect our new players. They will help us win and help us build towards the championship."

"However, like everyone at home, when you look at it from afar, it hurts. It's a strange case in NBA history to be a part of it."

"At the same time it's our business nature. It's a cruel business. So you have to be ready to get up and run towards the championship."

"That's the main goal and why I played. Having another player who is also the winner of the championship also helped."

"However, there is a time at the same time, we still have to admit that our Slovenian players are no longer here. We have to adjust," said Irving.

The adjustment will include playing with Davis, someone who has been associated with Irving for years.

During the 2018/2019 season, when Irving was in Boston, Davis was often rumored to be joining him at the Celtics.

Finally, the edition of the Celtics team disbanded, despite having a very talented list of players. Irving finally left in 2019 to play with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn.

While Davis was exchanged to the Lakers in a big deal to pair him with LeBron James.

However, Irving explained that the plan was not only for him and Durant to work together, but for him, Durant, Davis, and Jayson Tatum to finally play together in Boston even though it didn't work like that.

"Yes. There is also no feeling whatsoever, friends. Just telling you now," Irving said with a laugh, referring to speculation circulating around Durant, who is now with Phoenix Suns, ahead of the transfer deadline on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

"We discussed in 2018, only for everyone at home to watch because I knew all these words would be noticed."

"However, yes, in 2018, it was a dream for Kyrie, AD, KD to be in the same team and keep JT, let it develop and then see how it went."

"It's just that, at that time, the young players weren't ready to get involved in the trade rumors, guys."

"Our changing room was divided after they found out. Not (Jaylen Brown) or JT, but our dressing room was divided after they began to find out about the trading rumors."

"Our season started walking in completely different ways," Irving said again.

Although the edition of the Celtics team fell apart for various reasons, including Irving who repeatedly reprimanded younger players, Irving's focus now is trying to bring Davis and lead Dallas to the NBA championship.

Mavericks will head to Boston for the NBA Finals rematch on Friday, February 7, 2025.

When the schedule came out last summer, no one would have imagined this game would not involve Doncic as part of Dallas's cast list again.

Now that transfer shocks are starting to subside, Irving says he believes talent is available for Dallas to advance further into the NBA playoffs this spring.

"We're compiling the snippets. The tone is improving, just because everyone has questions, a little confused, and that's all."

"We're just talking to each other, making sure we're all fine. We put the game first and in a capacity where we can prepare."

"Then, off the pitch in training and some dinners we're going to hold, make sure we connect and do everything to have the quality of the winning team."

"So, the vision is the same, it's just that the people in the dressing room are a little different. We have to adjust, but we'll be fine," said Irving.