The Dallas Mavericks don’t plan to assist any other team in acquiring NBA All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, according to Tim Cato of The Athletic.
Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. If he decides to leave the Mavericks, Dallas could do a sign-and-trade deal with the team Irving signs with.
“It requires tact, but the Mavericks should simply tell Irving upfront what contract they would like for him to re-sign, and while he certainly has the right to leave, they don’t plan to assist any other team in acquiring him,” Cato wrote. “They have the most appealing offer. Whether or not it’s wise to gamble this team’s future on Irving is another question entirely. But in trading for him, it seems clear this team’s path forward is re-signing him.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Cato doesn’t believe the Mavericks should help Irving get to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team the All-Star guard has been heavily linked to.
“Unless the Lakers somehow make Austin Reaves available in a return sign-and-trade or decide they’re willing to trade Anthony Davis — and they won’t — there’s really no reason for the Mavericks to assist Los Angeles if Irving chooses to sign there,” Cato wrote. “Especially not if D’Angelo Russell is the consolation prize.”
Assuming the NBA operates with a $134 million salary cap, Irving would be eligible to re-sign with the Mavericks on a five-year, $272 million contract. The Duke product averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with Dallas this season.
“I hear he’s going back to Dallas on a 3+1 [a player option on the fourth year]. His contract will line up [identically] with Luka’s.” one player agent told Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd want Irving back with the team, sources told NBA Analysis Network. Irving will officially become an unrestricted free agency on July 1, with the negotiating window opening at 6:00 PM ET on June 30.
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