06 February 2023 , 22:32
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LeBron James is still confident the Los Angeles Lakers can compete for the NBA Championship, despite being left disappointed by the failure to secure a deal with the Brooklyn Nets for All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.
The Lakers had been considered frontrunners for Irving, who demanded a trade away from the Staples Center on Friday, dissatisfied with the new contract offer presented to him. Irving was linked with a number of different teams, but eventually ended up with the Dallas Mavericks.
A trade is still yet to be completed, with the Nets eager to include a third team in the deal to maximise their incomings, but James reacted on Monday and couldn't hide his disappointment. Speaking to ESPN, he indicated he wanted the Lakers to do more, but declared he's confident they can compete with anyone in the post-season.
He said: "Definitely disappointed, I can't sit here and say I'm not disappointed at not being able to pick up such a talent, someone I had great chemistry with, who I know I have chemistry with, who can help you win championships.
"But my focus has shifted, my focus has shifted back to where it should be, and that's this club now, what we have in the locker room.
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"I don't get too excited about the possibilities of things that can be. I kinda envision myself on what it can [be], but I don't invest it all the way in until I know it's happening. When it does not happen I'm back locked in on the job at hand.
LeBron James is confident despite the Los Angeles Lakers missing out on Kyrie Irving (Getty Images)"We had an opportunity, our name was out there, we had an opportunity, it didn't happen, we move on and try to finish the season strong and get a bid into the postseason where I feel if we go in healthy, we can compete with anybody."
The Lakers currently sit outside the Play-Off spots after a disappointing season so far. James and co. are 13th in the Western Conference, two games back from the Play-In tournament.
Meanwhile, he is closing in on becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer and could pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.