When the Dallas Mavericks made the blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving this past season, it set up a fascinating scenario we’re sure to see play out this offseason. Irving, who has helped the team go just 7-12 since joining the franchise in February, is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
While technically, Irving has a player option worth $36.5 million. He can make much more on the open market. But then again, I suppose that depends on who you ask and what you make of Irving’s All-Star status.
Most basketball fans would agree Irving is a top-25 talent, yet Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban isn’t ready to heap praise on his newest superstar, knowing there are contract discussions to be had in the next few months.
With the Mavericks heading into the final three games of their regular season, currently sitting outside of the playoff picture, Cuban was faced with some tough questions in a recent media session. Of course, the topic of Irving’s pending free agency was brought up, and the Mavericks owner had a very interesting response.
Of course, Cuban would like Irving to stay. As an eight-time NBA All-Star, Irving is one of the very best point guards, who also happens to be an excellent scorer in today’s game. Not to mention, the Mavs just forked over two key contributors in Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, along with a 2029 first-round selection to acquire his services.
But what’s most interesting here is the fact that Cuban wouldn’t quickly agree on the notion that Irving is a player worthy of receiving a max-level contract. If Irving doesn’t qualify, who does?
Perhaps Cuban is just in dream mode, trying to hope he can drive the price down of the three-time All-NBA scoring guard, but that won’t work. Irving has 12 strong NBA seasons on his resume, including winning an NBA Championship with LeBron James back in 2016.
Plus, the Los Angeles Lakers had an interest in adding Irving at the trade deadline. Who’s to say James won’t do his best to get his team back involved later this summer? But that’s one team, there are several organizations who would benefit from adding a player of Irving’s caliber if given the opportunity. If Dallas is trying to be cheap, other teams just might get that chance.
Related: Dallas Mavericks’ potential summer plans to fix their problems revealed