Mavericks' Mark Cuban Addresses Futures of Kyrie Irving, Jason Kidd in Dallas

The Mavs’ owner gave an interesting answer when asked if Irving deserves a maximum contract.

While the Mavericks are hoping to climb back into a play-in seed in the Western Conference with just three games left on the schedule, it seems owner Mark Cuban has his sights set a bit farther in the future.

On Wednesday, Cuban spoke with reporters, during which he addressed Jason Kidd’s future as the head coach in Dallas, as well as the potential for the team to re-sign Kyrie Irving.

In regards to Kidd, who is in his second season as the head coach in Dallas, Cuban committed to the 50-year-old being the Mavs’ coach for the future, despite the fact that the team has won just three of its last 10 games and has slipped into the 11th seed in the West.

“Jason Kidd is absolutely” Mavs coach going forward, Cuban says.

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) April 5, 2023

Their post-All-Star break struggles don’t seem to have impacted Kidd’s job security. 

Cuban had similar hopes for Irving’s future with the organization, saying he wants the point guard to stay in Dallas when his contract expires after this season. 

“I’m not going to negotiate with you,” said Cuban in response to a question about whether Irving was worthy of a max contract, via ESPN’s Tim McMahon.

Irving was acquired by the Mavericks at the trade deadline in hopes of supplying Luka Doncic with a superstar-caliber teammate. Thus far the results have not been as desired, though Cuban indicated he’s hopeful the 31-year-old is re-signed this offseason. 

The Mavericks sit a half game behind by the Thunder, who occupy the final play-in seed. Any tiebreaker between the two teams would be owned by Oklahoma City.