What does the recent LeBron James news mean for the New Orleans Pelicans?

Kyrie Irving is in the news again. But this time, it is regarding his desire to stay with a team instead of being traded from one, or at least that is how it appears.

It seems like Irving wants to resign with the Dallas Mavericks, as reports have surfaced that he is courting LeBron James to come join forces with him there this summer.

Along with being both hilarious and enticing, this also fulfills a prophecy bestowed by The Ringer’s Bill Simmons a few months ago.

https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/1665756571417075712?s=20

Just imagine that. A core of James, Irving, Luka Doncic, and Draymond Green. How good would that be? Well, for starters, they would need to make sure they surround them with shooting. Outside of Irving (37.9%), none of those guys boasted a 3-point percentage of over 35% last season. But if they figured that part out, even at James’ advanced age, that team becomes pretty scary.

What does that mean for our New Orleans Pelicans, who, after missing the playoffs this year, look to get healthy next season and compete for a top spot in the Western Conference standings? Does that throw a wrench in their plans?

This is the part where we remind everyone that the odds of the Mavericks trading for both Green and James this off-season are highly unlikely (but not impossible).

If they did manage to do that, though, unless either the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Lakers can net a return package that adequately replaces Green/James, both of those teams are likely off the board as true title contenders. So, that would be two fewer teams the Pelicans have to worry about in the loaded Western Conference.

However, that would mean one new contender is born in the Mavericks. And while it is hard to say what the Mavericks team will look like after they traded for players the caliber of James and Green, it isn’t unreasonable to think that the Mavericks could tout a better roster than our Pelicans at the start of next season.

Still, on a team with as many high-profile players as the Mavericks would theoretically have there is a lot of opportunity for combustibility. So, maybe this turns out to be a good thing, as it takes down two giants, and lets a third one crash and burn.

Whatever happens, this off-season should be interesting, at least if Irving has anything to say about it.