Kyrie 'grieving' after Luka departure: 'Miss my hermano'
Much like the rest of the basketball world, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving admits he was "shocked" to learn of former teammate Luka Doncic's trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Just really shocked," Irving told reporters, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps following Tuesday's defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers. "You just don't imagine you're going to get ready to go to sleep and then you find out news like that."
Irving continued: "It's still a grieving process right now. I miss my hermano."
Irving led the Mavericks with 34 points on 11-of-21 shooting in the 118-116 loss in Philadelphia. Although the defeat was marked by poor late-game execution, Irving's postgame availability centered around the franchise-altering trade.
"This is a business, it's way above my pay grade, and I've just got to adjust and be ready to welcome in my new teammates with open arms and kind of be ready to go back to Dallas, too, to speak in front of our fans," Irving said.
He added: "I know they are feeling it, too. I'm feeling it too, guys. So, yeah, it's just an adjustment period. I don't want to downplay this, either, or disrespect our new guys. They're going to help us win and help us build toward a championship, but just like everyone else at home, when you kind of see it from afar, it hurts."
The Mavericks acquired 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and Max Christie in the trade. Only Christie was able to make his debut Tuesday after Davis was ruled out due to an abdominal injury. Christie recorded 15 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
"This is a weird case in NBA history to be a part of," Irving said.
"But at the same time, we still have to acknowledge our little Slovenian president is no longer here, and we've got to adjust."