The Dallas Mavericks are not giving up on Kyrie Irving, despite his disappointing performance in the final stretch of the regular season. According to a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Mavericks plan to re-sign Irving to a long-term contract this summer, as they believe he is still a key piece of their championship puzzle.
Irving, who joined the Mavericks in a blockbuster trade from the Brooklyn Nets in February, averaged 27.4 points, 6.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game in 28 appearances for Dallas. He formed a dynamic duo with Luka Doncic, who won his second MVP award this season.
The Mavericks finished with the best record in the Western Conference at 58-24 and were considered one of the favorites to win the title.
However, things went downhill for Irving and the Mavericks in the playoffs. Irving struggled with his shooting and decision-making, especially in clutch situations. He shot 39.7 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from three-point range in 13 postseason games. He also committed 3.8 turnovers per game and had a minus-5.1 net rating.
The Mavericks were eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers in six games, after blowing a 3-1 series lead. Irving had one of his worst games of his career in Game 6, scoring only 15 points on 6-of-22 shooting and missing a potential game-tying three-pointer with 2.9 seconds left.
Despite his poor showing, the Mavericks are not ready to part ways with Irving. Wojnarowski reported that Dallas owner Mark Cuban and general manager Donnie Nelson have expressed their confidence and support for Irving, and that they are willing to offer him a five-year, $207 million max contract extension this offseason.
The report also stated that Irving is happy in Dallas and has a good relationship with Doncic, coach Rick Carlisle and his teammates. Irving has a player option for next season worth $36.5 million, which he is expected to decline in order to sign a new deal with the Mavericks.
The Mavericks believe that Irving can bounce back from his slump and regain his All-Star form next season. They also hope that he can stay healthy and avoid any off-court distractions that have plagued him in the past.
Irving has missed significant time due to injuries and personal reasons throughout his career, including this season when he took a two-week leave of absence from the Nets for undisclosed reasons.
The Mavericks are confident that they have a core of Doncic, Irving and Kristaps Porzingis that can compete for championships for years to come. They also have some cap space and trade assets to improve their roster around them this summer.
The Mavericks are determined to keep Irving in Dallas and prove that their late-season collapse was just a fluke.
Final Thoughts: Mavericks’ Long-Term Plan with Kyrie Irving
The news of the Dallas Mavericks planning to re-sign Kyrie Irving to a long-term contract despite his disappointing postseason performance may come as a surprise to some. However, it’s understandable given Irving’s talent and his partnership with Luka Doncic, who is the centerpiece of the Mavericks’ championship aspirations.
Irving’s struggles in the playoffs were evident, but it’s important to remember that he had a limited time to adjust to a new team and system after the trade from the Nets.
With a full offseason to work on his game and build chemistry with his teammates, Irving could return to his All-Star form and be the dynamic scorer and playmaker the Mavericks need.
It’s also worth noting that Irving’s off-court distractions, which have caused him to miss games in the past, did not seem to be a factor during his time in Dallas. If he can continue to focus on basketball and avoid any issues, he can be a valuable asset for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks’ decision to offer Irving a max contract extension shows their commitment to building a winning team around Doncic. With Kristaps Porzingis also in the mix, the Mavericks have a talented trio that can compete with the best teams in the league.
The team also has cap space and trade assets to improve their roster, which is crucial in a competitive Western Conference.
Overall, the Mavericks’ plan to re-sign Irving may be a risky move, but it’s a calculated one based on his talent and potential. If Irving can bounce back and stay healthy, the Mavericks could have a formidable team for years to come.
