NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving will meet with the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets once free agency opens at 6 PM ET on June 30, according to Bill Reiter of CBS Sports. Irving played for the Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks this past season.
The Mavericks want to re-sign Irving, the Suns have two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant — who is close with Irving — the Lakers have superstar LeBron James — who won a championship with Irving — the Clippers have stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the Heat have All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler — who is friends with Irving — and the Rockets have the most cap space in the NBA.
Irving is expected to re-sign with the Mavericks. However, it appears the eight-time All-Star is trying to create leverage and receive a max contract from Dallas by meeting with other teams.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Mavericks are still considered the favorites to re-sign Irving, who is eligible for a five-year, $272 million max contract. The Duke product averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with Dallas this past season. However, the Mavericks didn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament.
Dallas was just 5-11 in games superstar Luka Doncic and Irving played together. That was the worst winning percentage (.313) for a pair of teammates who were both All-Stars since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976-77, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat & Houston Rockets Updates
Irving has career averages of 23.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Nets and Mavericks. He has made three All-NBA teams. Both Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd want Irving back next season, league sources told NBA Analysis Network.
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