Mark Cuban Speaks on Mavs’ Kyrie Irving Free Agency: ‘I Learned My Lesson’
DALLAS — While the present focus surrounding the Dallas Mavericks is being placed on the outcome using the 10th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the top offseason priority remains to re-sign impending free agent Kyrie Irving.
Irving, who averaged 26.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists last season, is eligible to sign a five-year, $272.9 million contract if he were to re-sign with the Mavs. If he was to depart and sign outright with a different team, he is eligible to sign a four-year, $201.7 million contract.
During a radio appearance on 97.1 The Freak before Thursday's NBA Draft, Mavs owner Mark Cuban was asked about a wide-range topics. Among them was the team's outlook to re-sign Irving ahead of free agency.
"We want to sign him, and hopefully he wants to come back," Cuban said. "I'm not going to handicap anymore. I learned my lesson last year."
Cuban's recent comment aligns with what he previously stated late in the regular season when answering reporters' questions in an impromptu courtside media availability. He doesn't want to give ultimatums or handicap outcomes given Jalen Brunson departed to sign with the New York Knicks last summer after doing so.
“It’s not Kyrie or bust, but we want to keep him,” Cuban said to reporters. “I’m done giving ultimatums on players like I did last year.”
Cuban made clear at the time that he'd like for Irving to re-sign with the Mavs and his view is that the superstar is happy with being a member of the team.
“I want him to stay for sure, and I think we have a good shot,” Cuban said. “I think he’s happy here. He told me he’s happy here.”
The Mavs posted a 5-11 record in the 16 games played with both Doncic and Irving available in the lineup. Despite that, Cuban sees potential for the pairing given the robust results achieved on offense, but understands that defense must improve.
“We’ve got the best offensive rating I think with those two guys when they play together,” Cuban said. “We could not find a way to get stops in close games. I don’t think you can point to any one thing, but we’ll have to make changes, obviously, to be able to get better defensively.”
Given the Los Angeles Lakers' focus to re-sign the group of players that helped contribute to a Western Conference Finals and the Phoenix Suns acquiring Bradley Beal in a major trade, the potential market for Irving has seemingly thinned. Many around the NBA expect Irving to re-sign with the Mavs.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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