Did the Dallas Mavericks trade for Kyrie Irving to recruit LeBron James?

The Dallas Mavericks sent the NBA world into a swirl on February 5 traded for Kyrie Irving.

This move sent Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and multiple draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Irving and Markieff Morris. Instead of climbing the standings and making an NBA Finals push like expected, the Mavericks plummeted after the trade and missed the playoffs.

It was an awful end to the season, and Dallas even tanked their final two games to increase the odds of keeping their first-round pick.

Did the Dallas Mavericks trade for Kyrie Irving to recruit LeBron James?

This upset fans tremendously as they could lose Irving for nothing this summer. But according to him, this trade was for the long term. He was at peace even though his team missed the playoffs, and Dallas reportedly brought him in to help recruit other star teammates to Dallas.

Despite seeming like the writing was on the wall for a second move before the 2023 NBA trade deadline, Dallas never made one.

Were they holding off on a second move because they wanted to pursue a trade for LeBron James this summer?

It's definitely a possibility.

News broke on Monday afternoon that Irving is trying to recruit James to Dallas. This news shocked the NBA world as most of the buzz surrounding Irving and James was about the two potentially teaming up in Los Angeles. Although it was impractical, that's what people were expecting.

Even though it would be hard to bring James to Dallas, it isn't impossible. The package would likely include multiple first-round picks and several role players in exchange for James. James is set to make $46.9 million next season, and the money must match up to make a trade.

Irving said that "this was for something that is bigger than ourselves, and we can't just be a championship team overnight," regarding Dallas trading for him in March. Although this quote is cryptic, it could be perceived as Irving wanting to be in Dallas and building something special as a team.

Could that plan to make a championship team involve King James?

No one will know until we learn more about this situation, but Dallas' plan the whole time could have been to trade for Irving while knowing he could help bring James to Dallas.

Stay tuned for more news and rumors surrounding LeBron to Dallas. The potential trade would have the potential to be one of the biggest blockbusters of all time, and we'll have you covered.