NBA Notes: Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Blazers, Vit Krejci, Kings

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving still loves playing basketball. He’s less enthusiastic about everything that comes with being an NBA player.

And while he hasn’t announced a retirement date, Irving doesn’t envision following LeBron James into his 40s.

“I don’t look at it as comparing my years to other people, but just how much love I still have for it,” Irving said, via Austin Veazey of Mavericks On SI. “And it’s not just for basketball.”

Irving entered the league in 2011 and is beginning his 16th season. He said the increased influence of gambling and social media has changed his experience, even though his appreciation for the competition hasn’t gone away.

“I think that the game has changed; it’s become less human, it’s more robotic,” he said. “And I think my next few years, I kind of look at it as like, do I really love that aspect of it? I love the playing, I love the competition, but do I love all the hoopla that goes into it?”

That doesn’t amount to an impending retirement announcement. It does suggest Irving will weigh more than his ability to score when deciding how long to continue.

“I’m fully aware of just my position and purpose and figure and just playing in the NBA,” he said. “So basketball is an eternal flame. It always will, but I don’t see myself playing in the NBA at 42, 43.”

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri has expressed a desire to keep Irving. For Dallas, the immediate task is building a competitive team around a veteran who still wants to play, even if he has little interest in setting longevity records.

More from around the NBA:

• Trail Blazers: Vit Krejci’s shooting is worth watching as Portland tries to improve its spacing, Sahal Arwo of Trail Blazers On SI writes. Krejci shot approximately 42% from three-point range with the Hawks last season before falling to roughly 30% after his trade to Portland. He then went 2-of-13 against NBA opponents during the preseason. That’s a small sample, but the Blazers need reliable outside shooting around Ja Morant and Deni Avdija, even with Damian Lillard in the backcourt. General manager Joe Cronin has pointed to internal improvement as part of the solution. Krejci’s career mark of roughly 39% offers reason to expect better results, and a return to that level would help him earn consistent minutes under Micah Nori.
• Kings: Expectations are low in Sacramento, where ESPN’s preseason projections listed the Kings’ playoff chances at 0%, as Logan Struck of Kings On SI relays. That’s a projection, of course, rather than mathematical elimination before opening night. ESPN’s Anthony Slater identified veteran buy-in as a concern, noting that the front office has explored trades involving Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk over the past year. Coach Doug Christie must balance their roles with opportunities for rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and other developing players, now without Ben Simmons following his season-ending Achilles injury. Slater also noted that Sacramento faces little immediate pressure to win, giving the team room to prioritize development.