After a shockingly bad end to their season, the Dallas Mavericks have to decide what their future will hold.
A major component of that will be their relationship with Kyrie Irving.
Irving has only played for the Mavericks for just a few months but his time with the team could be at an end due to the short deal he signed.
But Dallas wants to keep him around and they aren’t going to help him go anywhere else.
According to The Athletic, via NBACentral, the Mavericks are not planning to help Irving in a potential sign-and-trade deal if he wishes to leave the team.
The Dallas Mavericks are not planning to help Kyrie Irving in a potential sign-and-trade, per @TheAthletic
(h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/qrEI5n402y
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) May 27, 2023
A sign-and-trade deal would have the Mavericks re-signing Irving to a new contract, only to send him to another team, presumably one of his choosing.
The Athletic says that unless the Los Angeles Lakers are willing to send away Austin Reaves or Anthony Davis – and they’re not – the Mavericks won’t be interested in any negotiations for Irving.
They hope it doesn’t come to it, but Dallas is clearly ready to play hardball in order to keep Irving around.
Although the team didn’t become a championship contender after Irving’s signing this year, they believe that great things could still be ahead.
They need a few more pieces to find terrific postseason success but they don’t want to lose Irving.
They are especially afraid of that scenario because they gave up Jalen Brunson last summer, only to see him flourish with the New York Knicks.
That loss still stings.
Additionally, they are desperate to have a strong upcoming season so they can entice Luka Doncic to remain with the team.
They put a lot of hope into Irving on their team and they are not ready to give that up yet.
NEXT: Video Shows Luka Doncic Training Hard In Offseason
