The Sunday Pro Bowl might have been the only football on the menu, but the NBA delivered drama as the Brooklyn Nets traded Kyrie Irving, who had requested a new home from the organization just days before. He is now on his way to the Dallas Mavericks, where he’ll join forces with Luca Doncic.
The trade saw the Nets receive solid role players in Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie, along with draft compensation. Many believed that the Mavericks would be offering Kyrie Irving a massive deal, but according to Marc Stein, they haven’t promised him a new contract.
“No one in Dallas will come out and say it in these terms, obviously, but Irving is potentially just a rental,” Stein said. It’s hard to imagine Mark Cuban making a move like this without securing Irving for years to come. It’s possible that he might wait and see how the team performs in the Western Conference playoffs before trying to sign him long-term.
Kyrie Irving has not been promised a new contract by the Mavericks, per @TheSteinLine
“No one in Dallas will come out and say it in these terms, obviously, but Irving is potentially just a rental.”
(Via https://t.co/Kfcs5ZZhX6) pic.twitter.com/OBau5N6U0s
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2023
The Dallas Mavericks are currently in 6th place in the Western Conference with a 28-26 record. Luka Doncic is vital to the Mavericks’ offense, averaging 33.4 points per game. With Irving’s arrival, the Mavericks will have another playmaker who can create his own shot. However, the team’s defense was already struggling, and it may now become even weaker. Scoring 120 to 130 points per game is impressive, but the team may have to do so to make up for what they give up on defense.
MIA this summer with a Lowry contract expiring 👀
— ZAE⚡️ (@ZaeMcGuire) February 6, 2023
The Western Conference is wide open this year, with no clear-cut best team. The Mavericks could easily be the team to emerge as an immediate Finals contender if everything goes well. With the arrival of Kyrie Irving and the star power of Luca Doncic, the Mavericks will be a team to watch in the upcoming Western Conference playoffs.
