All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving becomes an unrestricted free agent on June 30 and “everyone expects” the NBA champion to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Howard Beck of GQ.
Irving averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with the Mavericks in 2022-23 after the Brooklyn Nets trade. If the NBA operates with a $134 million salary cap, Irving would be eligible to re-sign with Dallas on a five-year, $272.9 million contract.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wants to re-sign Irving once free agency opens. He doesn’t want to lose Irving like he lost Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks last summer.
“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.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
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 talented guard 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 — who declined his 2023-24 player option with the Toronto Raptors — may rank higher than Irving on the Rockets’ free-agent board.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Irving has career averages of 23.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has made eight All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. Both Dallas superstar Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd want Irving back next season, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
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