Drama Queen: Lebron James Makes Kyrie Irving Trade All About Himself

Drama King is back.

Lakers forward LeBron James didn’t get his way in the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, losing out to the Dallas Mavericks after the Nets agree to ship All-Star guard Sunday: To the Lone Star State

Now that James is left with a hobbling All-Star in Anthony Davis, an overpaid Russell Westbrook and a cast of C-level talent (stuck in the Western Conference’s 13th seed), the aging star is going on a media tour to tell the world how hurt he was left over not having Kyrie on the Lakers.

Considering Irving got to join a postseason contender, the move appears to have ultimately worked out in his favor, but don’t tell LeBron that.

Speaking with ESPN’s Mike Wilbon on Monday, James said he was left “disappointed” The Irving trade decision was tweeted later “Maybe It’s Me” to let his sadness out there for all to see.

“I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed on not being able to land such a talent,” James said, forgetting that his sway of the front office’s decision these last few years sunk the team’s trading capital to new lows.

Coming into the Irving sweepstakes, the Lakers’ main assets were two first-round picks — one in 2027 and one in 2029.

Brooklyn has always wanted a “win-now” package, they opted for Dallas’ offers, which involved multiple high draft picks, trending guard Spencer Dinwiddie and proficient wing defender Dorian Finney-Smith.

James was finally tired of playing LeGM for so many years. But the most sinister actor in this trade may have been Joe Tsai, owner of the Nets.

Reports following Dallas’ trade with Brooklyn detailed that Tsai had such a sour relationship with Irving that he allegedly shipped Kyrie off to his least-desired trade destination to spite the player.

While there’s little corroborating evidence to prove it, Tsai’s history of doing Kyrie dirty makes it believable.