Kyrie Irving Rumors: 'Considerable Skepticism' Mavs Will Offer PG Short Contract

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly ready to double down on their commitment to Kyrie Irving.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported there is "considerable skepticism" among league insiders that the Mavericks "have the leverage" to offer Irving a two-year contract.

Stein noted that "very early rumbles" from Dallas indicate the Mavs will offer the All-Star guard a three- or four-year contract in free agency. It's unclear if Irving is leaning toward returning to Dallas or testing the free-agent market in July.

The Mavericks traded Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick for Irving at February's trade deadline. The deal ended Irving's rocky four-year tenure in Brooklyn, which saw him essentially serve as a part-time player because of a combination of injuries and nonbasketball controversies.

Irving missed most of the 2021-22 season over his refusal to undergo COVID-19 vaccination. This season, Irving missed eight games after promoting an antisemitic film on social media and then refusing to denounce its messages publicly. He later apologized and returned to the Nets.

Dallas acquired Irving at such a steep discount because he was a distressed asset—an All-Star whose injuries and personality created conflict wherever he's gone.

While the Mavs seemingly got a version of Irving who was on his best behavior, that did not lead to on-court success. Before punting the final two games of the regular season in a blatant tanking effort, the Mavericks went 8-17 after trading for Irving to nosedive out of the playoff picture.

Irving can't be faulted alone for Dallas' struggles, but its failure to even reach the play-in tournament could make him more likely to bolt on the open market. Signing him to a massive deal few other teams are willing to provide may be the only way to keep him.