According to Heavy Sports insider Steve Bulpett, Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving didn’t have “anywhere else to go” in NBA free agency.
Irving wound up re-signing with the Mavericks on a three-year, $126 million contract.
“I don’t think he had anywhere else to go — not unless he wanted to give up a lot of money,” one league source told Heavy Sports. “I just think he tried to create a market for himself, like James Harden is trying to do and like Dame Lillard WILL do.”
Irving averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with the Mavericks last season. He finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.9% from beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free-throw line with the Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Irving only met with the Mavericks once free agency started on June 30. The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat were not interested in signing Uncle Drew.
“On the other hand, Kyrie’s had a lot of side issues,” the source told Bulpett. “If he wasn’t always causing some drama away from the court and making himself unavailable — and that’s not counting the injuries — he’d have been the prime max free agent this summer. But look at what all that sitting out stuff cost him. I know he should already have more money than he’s ever going to need, but we’re talking millions and millions of dollars here.”
Irving and Luka Doncic will be under major pressure to make the playoffs next season in the rugged Western Conference. The Mavericks made the Western Conference Finals in 2022 but missed the postseason this year.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyrie Irving & Dallas Mavericks 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’s won one NBA championship and made three All-NBA teams.
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