Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving has politely asked NBA media members to not ask him questions about his free agent future. He wants the focus to remain on the here and now about the Mavericks and this season.
While that request is a simple one and should be honored by the media, that doesn’t mean people will stop talking about his future. Irving may not be asked about his free agent plans anymore, but it is a hot topic in the basketball world.
Irving is set to become a free agent this summer. That was part of the risk that the Mavericks took in acquiring him as he could be a rental when it is all said and done.
While the franchise can do everything in its power to sell Irving on a long-term partnership with Luka Doncic, what it will come down to is money.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN recently made an appearance on Fanatics View and discussed a wide range of topics. One of them was the future of Irving, who Windhorst wasn’t making a prediction about, but sharing that money will be the determining factor in where he ends up as a free agent this summer.
“I don’t make predictions in general. I think what Kyrie wants is a big giant, long contract. It’s a leveraging point between whether the Mavs need to offer that and if Kyrie can get it. But if they’re willing to offer the long contract, Kyrie’s going to stay. It’s just a matter of where they meet in the middle on that.”
That long-term contract was what Irving sought from the Brooklyn Nets last offseason. When they showed no interest in making a deal is when Irving sought a trade. When no other team was willing to make a long-term offer either, Irving opted to remain with the Nets.
Committing to Irving long-term is a massive risk for any franchise. He has been unable to stay on the court in recent seasons whether it be because of injury or self-inflicted. On the court, there is little debate about whether or not he is a max player. But, more goes into it than just performing on the court.
Irving has learned that the hard way with how he has carried himself when not playing the game of basketball. The Mavericks are going to do everything to retain him this offseason, but there likely is a line they won’t be willing to cross and if another franchise is willing to do it, they could very well end up with Irving in free agency.
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