The Dallas Mavericks’ top priorities for the NBA offseason after a 38-44 finish to their 2022-23 campaign include re-signing Kyrie Irving and improving both on defense and rebounding.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wants to re-sign point guard Irving once free agency opens. Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30 and can officially sign a deal on July 1.
“We want to sign him and hopefully he wants to come back,” Cuban said on The Ben and Skin Show. “I’m not going to handicap anymore. I learned my lesson last year.”
Irving averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with the Mavericks in 2022-23. If the NBA operates with a $134 million salary cap, Uncle Drew would be eligible to re-sign with Dallas on a five-year, $272.9 million contract.
The Mavericks may be the only team interested in signing Irving this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. The Los Angeles Lakers don’t plan to pursue the Duke product and the Phoenix Suns can no longer sign Irving after acquiring shooting guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards.
“League sources say that these developments — especially the latter — have reinforced the notion that the Mavericks appear to be the only confirmed bidder for Irving’s services as the opening bell for 2023 NBA Free Agency at 6 PM ET on June 30 draws near,” Stein wrote.
The Houston Rockets could make a run at Irving if former MVP James Harden stays with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet may rank higher than Irving on the Rockets’ free-agent board.
With Bradley Beal landing with the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers favoring running it back with their impending free agents, there aren’t clear options for Irving to join a contender.
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