The Mavericks have successfully sidestepped a potentially stressful free agency predicament by securing the talents of standout point guard Kyrie Irving with a lucrative three-year, $126-million agreement.
He’s back.
Dallas is ready for ya, @KyrieIrving ♾️ @chime | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/0QSUTtJBaA
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 8, 2023
Irving, who participated in 40 matches for the Brooklyn Nets in the previous season before being transferred to the Mavericks, showcased an average of 27 points, five rebounds, and six assists per game within a 38.2-minute timeframe. Throughout the 2022-23 season, encompassing 60 games played for both the Mavs and Nets, he recorded an overall performance of 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
In the 2022-23 season, the Dallas Mavericks faced numerous defensive issues, but their backcourt became formidable with the emergence of Doncic, an All-NBA guard. However, despite his presence, the team struggled as they dropped from the 6th seed and ended up with an 8-12 record in the games he played. It is undeniable that Irving’s blockbuster trade did not significantly benefit the Dallas team in terms of their standing in the league.
Before the beginning of the offseason, Mark Cuban, the proprietor of the Mavs, expressed that keeping Irving was not a “Kyrie or nothing” circumstance.
Cuban stated in the beginning of April, “however, we desire to retain him, it is not solely dependent on Kyrie.” “I no longer intend to give ultimatums to players as I did in the previous year.”
During the previous summer, when Cuban expressed assurance that they would be capable of retaining him due to their ability to offer a higher salary, he was referring to the departure of Doncic’s teammate Jalen Brunson to the New York Knicks in the free agency.
Brooklyn experienced numerous controversies during Irving’s three-plus seasons, as Nike terminated its association with him due to his refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, resulting in his inability to participate in several home games. Additionally, he faced criticism for sharing a link to a film that contained antisemitic content.
When he arrived in Dallas, Irving wasn’t talking much about his future with the team, preferring to focus on what he could control on the court.
Irving stated in February, “The future will be determined by my current actions and how I prepare for the upcoming challenges. This involves being a supportive teammate in the locker room and a strong leader within the Dallas community. We are now moving on from the past and focusing on the tasks that lie ahead for our team.” “I have experienced this situation before, and it is mentally exhausting to constantly ponder the long-term aspects.”
When Kevin Durant arrived in New Jersey in 2019, he brought along hopes of leading the Nets franchise. The departure of Irving from Brooklyn was met with a lot of fanfare, as he was a fan favorite player.
Irving asked to be traded when he was in Cleveland, but the Nets never got close to accommodating him quickly.
The report utilized information from The Associated Press.