Kyrie Irving says he won’t discuss long-term future with Mavericks to avoid any ‘unwanted distractions’
Kyrie Irving doesn’t want to talk about a potential future with the Dallas Mavericks after this season. During his opening press conference On Monday, along with Mavericks president and general manager Nico Harrison and Markieff Morris, Irving was asked what he needs to see from the organization in order to sign a long-term deal with the club.
He refused to answer directly and instead asked the media to refrain from further questions on the topic. His answer in full:
“I would like to just respect you guys and everyone else for the rest of the season by just constantly asking me what is just causing unreasonable damage to us and our team. I’ve dealt with this before and it’s very emotionally draining for me. ask questions like “what’s in the long run? what’s the long run? what is it?”
“I will say that from the very beginning, when I came here, there was nothing but warm hugs, nothing but sincere love, and nothing but acquaintance with relationships that I could really count on in times of questions or confusion. I could always leave. to these guys or ladies from our front office or people who have really made themselves available since I landed in Dallas.
“There is only a positive note there, and I just take it one day at a time. That’s all I can do in this life, and what’s in store for me in the future will really only depend on what I’m doing right now and how I’m preparing for those next steps. It means being the best teammate I can be in the locker room, being a great leader here in the Dallas community, in the NBA, and just keep being myself and growing. like a team.”
Irving has a history of broken promises. In 2013 he said to a room full of children that he would never leave the Cleveland Cavaliers like LeBron James did, only to request a trade a few years later in 2017. During a pre-season event in 2018he told the crowd inside the TD Garden that he planned to re-sign with the team when he became a free agent, only to walk away and sign with the Brooklyn Nets instead. Speaking to reporters in 2022, he said he enjoys playing in Brooklyn and would like to re-sign with the team because “there’s no way I can leave my number seven man (Kevin Durant) anywhere.” He, of course, requested a trade from the Nets earlier this month.
Irving’s request was fair and should be carried out during the post-game press conferences. But because of his history, his ability to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and his stated desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, national speculation won’t stop until the ink dries on his next one. contract.
If the game with Luka Doncic doesn’t pan out or the Mavericks are eliminated early in the playoffs, there’s a very real chance Irving could become a free agent. In truth, he can still do it even if things go well this season and the Mavericks put on a good showing. It’s no use trying to predict Irving’s next move.
However, Harrison doesn’t see the deal as risky for the Mavericks.
“I don’t see any risk,” Harrison said. “I have known Kairi for a long time. I know its essence. I know what kind of person he is. I think anyone who has ever watched him play basketball knows what a basketball player he is. the risk associated with it. I really see the risk in not making a deal.”
As to how accurate Harrison’s take on the deal is, and which team Irving will play for next season, only time will tell.
Source: www.cbssports.com
