The Dallas Mavericks started the 2022-2023 season with high ambitions after reaching the Western Conference Finals last course. For them, they lost completely Playoffs it’s a clear sign that they need to make big changes to their team. They also have to decide what to do with Kyrie Irving, who could become an unrestricted free agent. It is not a positive situation for a Luka Doncic blooms
These are the most important questions the Mavs need to ask themselves heading into one out of season key for them.
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What kind of contract will Kyrie Irving sign?
Irving will become a free agent when his contract expires 36.5 million The Mavericks have the option to extend him for two years and hang up 83 million or, sign him as a free agent. The most they could do it for would be $270 million over five years, but the two sides could always reach a shorter deal.
The expansion route, while much more Mav-friendly, is probably off the table. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that Irving is not interested in that avenue and will try free agency.
Mark Cuban said ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that re-signing Kyrie is the Mavs’ top priority. The prospect of losing it for nothing would be an absolute financial disaster.
The problem for the Mavs is that, if traded, Irving would cost the franchise too much for just a few games:
If Kyrie leaves this offseason, the Mavs will be back
until 2021 first
until 2023 first (or ’24, ’25, top-10 protected each year)
by 2029 first, and
Dorian Finney-Smithon a contract with Davis Bertans that pays between $22-33 million through 2025
— Jeremiah Engelmann (@JerryEngelmann) April 4, 2023
Could the Lakers sign Kyrie Irving?
LeBron James expressed his frustration after the Lakers they couldn’t find a way to get Irving through a trade.
“I can’t sit here and say I’m not disappointed that I wasn’t able to get that talent, somebody that I had great chemistry with, that can help you win championships.”James told Mike Wilbon ESPN.
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Despite their interest lebronThere are various reports that have ruled out a possible meeting between Kyrie and James.
Marc Stein in his Substack has written that while Los Angeles and Phoenix are the most talked about landing spots for Irving beyond Dallas, there is no evidence of real interest from either organization. Jovan Buha of The Athletic also reported that it is unlikely Lakers go for Irving in Free Agency.
There are many reasons why the Lakers and Irving are not a good matchup financially. The Californians have their own free agents to re-sign, including D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves.
Kyrie would also have to take a pay cut to land in Los Angeles, as he could only open up about $30 million in cap space, well below what the Mavericks could offer.
What other teams could be realistic destinations for Kyrie Irving?
There aren’t many places where Kyrie Irving can land easily. Teams with available salary cap space are focused on rebuilding, as is the case Magic, Pacers, Pistons, Rockets and Spurs.
The only interesting possibility is the Utah Jazz, since they will have more than 40 million available this offseason. Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that Danny Ainge “He doesn’t have the same reservations about Irving that a lot of people have.” both have prior history in Boston.
If Irving ends up elsewhere, it will likely be via a sign-and-trade, but that would require the Mavs’ cooperation.
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What sign&trade options would the Mavs have with Irving?
The idea of creating a signature&trade sounds good, but there might not be as much interest from other teams.
Last year, Irving posted a list of his favorite teams that included the Clippers, Heat, Knicks, Lakers, Mavericks and Sixers. These franchises weren’t interested enough to come to an agreement. A year later, has anything changed?
Probably not. Kyrie’s season hasn’t exactly increased in value in a year. Stein said on his “#thisleague UNCUT” podcast that he hasn’t found a team outside of the Mavs interested in signing the point guard.
What are the Mavs’ biggest needs?
Aside from Irving’s issues, the Mavericks still have a lot to figure out.
The problems with the equipment are quite obvious. The Mavs didn’t have the defenders they needed to surround Doncic and Irving. Even the Slovenian admitted this was the problem in a press conference.
“I don’t think the offense is the problem. I’ve always said that. It’s our defense.” Doncic said. “I think anyone can score against us.”
Unfortunately, all teams are looking for players who can defend and shoot. They tend to be very expensive and Dallas has limited ability to sign them.
How much money can the Mavs spend?
If the Mavs let Irving go, they could open up 24 million in salary space. That’s not enough to sign another star, but they could add some role players to their roster with the exception of the mid-tier (about 11.4 million).
If you renew it, your options are even more limited. They would only have the middle tier exemption of teams over the cap (about 7 million).
Who could the Mavs trade?
Free agency won’t be the solution to all of the Mavericks’ problems. Will the transfers take place?
The status of the Mavs’ 2023 first-round pick is up in the air. This pick should be in the top 10, and they have a strong chance of falling between 8 and 10. However, if he falls to 11 or worse in the lottery, he will go to destination New York Knicks.
They have some promising young players who would certainly attract interest from other teams. Josh Green has enjoyed a superb third season and Jaden Hardy It was the most pleasant surprise of the year for the Mavericks. It would be hard to lose any of them, so the return should match.
Simply put, there are no easy fixes here for Dallas. They have gotten into this situation after making bad decisions, including not renewing Jaylen Brunson.
His books are littered with bad contracts, so his best course of action is probably to bring back Irving and add some low-level players who can serve as bets. They will also have to be creative with transfers because there is a lot of work to be done.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
