Mavs Called ‘Desperate’ For Kyrie Irving’s $126 Million Contract

One NBA insider has criticized the Dallas Mavericks for giving Kyrie Irving a three-year, $126 million contract this summer.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes the Mavericks tying Irving to Luka Doncic is a dangerous game to play given how unpredictable Irving is.

“This was a desperate move by the Mavericks, who were desperate not to lose another star guard in free agency,” Swartz wrote. “Unlike with Jalen Brunson, however, no other team was likely to give Irving this kind of money. Something will eventually affect Irving’s availability. We just don’t know what yet.

“Tying perhaps the most unpredictable player in the NBA to Luka Dončić is a dangerous game to play for Dallas, a franchise that is still widely carried by its Slovenian superstar. If (when?) Irving grows unhappy or becomes a distraction, the Mavs can only hope that Dončić doesn’t ask out as well.”

Irving has requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets. He told Boston Celtics fans before the 2018-19 season started that he would re-sign with the Celtics in the summer of 2019, only to go back on his word and join the Nets.

While Irving was on his best behavior with the Mavericks last season, Dallas was only 5-11 when Irving and Doncic were in the lineup together.

Irving averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with the Mavericks last season. He finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.9% from beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free-throw line with the Nets and Mavericks.

Irving only met with the Mavericks once free agency started on June 30. The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat were not interested in signing the eight-time All-Star despite rumors tying the three teams to Uncle Drew. In fact, according to Heavy Sports insider Steve Bulpett, Irving didn’t have “anywhere else to go” in free agency.