SHAMS: Kyrie Irving declines Player Option, intends to sign a 3 year $119 M contract

[TheGeneral99]

Such a dumb move for Dallas if they resign this guy long-term.

He'll be 34 when he comes back from a major injury.

[Infinity2152]

This is wild. He's not even playing year 1. He's getting $119 mill for at most two years of play. If he comes back fully healthy and ready next year at 34. That's damn near $60 mill AAV for the two years he's going to actually play at 34 and 35. He did not get a pay cut. Contract factors in he doesn't play year 1 and still takes up a roster spot.

[zero rings]

This is wild. He's not even playing year 1. He's getting $119 mill for at most two years of play. If he comes back fully healthy and ready next year at 34. That's damn near $60 mill AAV for the two years he's going to actually play at 34 and 35. He did not get a pay cut. Contract factors in he doesn't play year 1 and still takes up a roster spot.

They were going to take his cap hit next year no matter what. Now they have him locked up for the next few years at ~$40 million, which is a good rate for an All-Star caliber guard.

Sure there’s some risk involved when committing to an injured player, but you can afford to take that risk when you luck into the #1 pick. If things don’t work out for whatever reason, they can always blow it up and rebuild around a 20 year old Cooper Flagg.

[Infinity2152]

This is wild. He's not even playing year 1. He's getting $119 mill for at most two years of play. If he comes back fully healthy and ready next year at 34. That's damn near $60 mill AAV for the two years he's going to actually play at 34 and 35. He did not get a pay cut. Contract factors in he doesn't play year 1 and still takes up a roster spot.

They were going to take his cap hit next year no matter what. Now they have him locked up for the next few years at ~$40 million, which is a good rate for an All-Star caliber guard.

Sure there’s some risk involved when committing to an injured player, but you can afford to take that risk when you luck into the #1 pick. If things don’t work out for whatever reason, they can always blow it up and rebuild around a 20 year old Cooper Flagg.

Yeah, it's pretty fair to both sides. Like Kyrie gets paid $60 mill for 2026 and 2027, but the team gets to roll $20 mill of the cap hit each year to the 2025 cap and he gets his money early. I mean, Kyrie knows he's not playing this year, he knows he's effectively getting $60 mill/yr for two years of play. I'm with you, actually paying healthy Kyrie $40 mill in 2027 is a great deal.

[TwitterFingers]

Around 70m/yr? Did i get that right?

No... Just below 40/yr.

I think Dallas may regret, but we'll see.

I wouldn’t have given him that much coming after an injury.

[dirkdiggler4177]

The deal makes sense for both sides, especially when you know that AD is staying in Dallas too.

But I wouldn't call it taking a pay cut because of the things I previously mentioned (Kyries age and injury).

Well, it is literally a pay cut when you decrease your yearly salary (even if it does not feel like that)

It's a new contract. Kyrie wasn't going to get 43 million or more per year on a new deal. What he got is what made sense for both Kyrie and the team.

If he tested the market nobody was going to give him the number he got from the Mavs (due to his age and injury).

That's not taking a pay cut. You make it sound like he's sacrificing something. He's not.

Sounds like a pay cut for long-term benefits. What if he signed for 60 mill and not 119? Would it still not be a pay cut? I get your point, but it's still a pay cut to secure a long-term deal. Also, looking at Kawhi, Embiid, Paul George, and James Harden, I would think there is a chance someone would sign Irving for a 120 deal next season, giving him 43 extra mill this season.

[Dan Z]

Well, it is literally a pay cut when you decrease your yearly salary (even if it does not feel like that)

It's a new contract. Kyrie wasn't going to get 43 million or more per year on a new deal. What he got is what made sense for both Kyrie and the team.

If he tested the market nobody was going to give him the number he got from the Mavs (due to his age and injury).

That's not taking a pay cut. You make it sound like he's sacrificing something. He's not.

Sounds like a pay cut for long-term benefits. What if he signed for 60 mill and not 119? Would it still not be a pay cut? I get your point, but it's still a pay cut to secure a long-term deal. Also, looking at Kawhi, Embiid, Paul George, and James Harden, I would think there is a chance someone would sign Irving for a 120 deal next season, giving him 43 extra mill this season.

The Mavs weren't going to give him 60 million and another team wasn't going to give him a three year 119 million deal.

He's 33 years old and just had a major injury.

Kawhi got his contracting coming off a championship with Toronto. The Clippers went all in with him so they've continued by giving him an extension.

James Harden was traded to LA and had just lead the league in assists per game (he also wasn't injured like Kyrie is).

Paul George had back-to-back all-star seasons before Philly signed him.

My point is that all those players had different situations than Kryies.

[dirkdiggler4177]

It's a new contract. Kyrie wasn't going to get 43 million or more per year on a new deal. What he got is what made sense for both Kyrie and the team.

If he tested the market nobody was going to give him the number he got from the Mavs (due to his age and injury).

That's not taking a pay cut. You make it sound like he's sacrificing something. He's not.

Sounds like a pay cut for long-term benefits. What if he signed for 60 mill and not 119? Would it still not be a pay cut? I get your point, but it's still a pay cut to secure a long-term deal. Also, looking at Kawhi, Embiid, Paul George, and James Harden, I would think there is a chance someone would sign Irving for a 120 deal next season, giving him 43 extra mill this season.

The Mavs weren't going to give him 60 million and another team wasn't going to give him a three year 119 million deal.

He's 33 years old and just had a major injury.

Kawhi got his contracting coming off a championship with Toronto. The Clippers went all in with him so they've continued by giving him an extension.

James Harden was traded to LA and had just lead the league in assists per game (he also wasn't injured like Kyrie is).

Paul George had back-to-back all-star seasons before Philly signed him.

My point is that all those players had different situations than Kryies.

Still a pay cut though

[Mr B]

I agree, but even at a minimum you get Kryie to opt into his 43 million option and go from there. I don't think they really had to worry about him leaving.

This signing puts the Mavs under the 2nd apron and it puts Kyrie right in line with AD’s contract. The Mavs will have a 2-3 year window with Kyrie and AD. Title or no title they will have massive money coming off the books in order to build around Flagg when he turns 21.

Don't you know? According to RealGM, you either have to have a super team capable of winning 70 games or tear it all down to the box springs and tank for half a decade. Nothing in between is ever acceptable.

The Mavericks already got their tanking prize with Flagg. I see no problem with trying to win for a couple years with AD and Irving before turning the team over to Flagg. It seems better for his development than a Washington Wizards situation.

But I get it, Nico trade Luka, Nico bad, Nico dumb.

I might get jumped for saying this (especially in Dallas) and people don’t want to hear it but. Nico is quietly cooking this off season.

[Mr B]

This literally is the best option possible for the Mavericks. To trade Luka and not hold on to Kyrie or AD would be foolish.

Mavericks are now under the 2nd apron after this deal if I remember correctly.

They have plenty of players to trade if needed this season... and best of all, everyone expires at the same time to completely rebuild around Flagg if all else fails.

How many HOFs take a pay cut like that? Kyrie is in it to win it. This is his team now. Cooper's in the future.

A pay cut? He's currently injured and most likely will be out all season.

Yes he'll get 39.6 million next year instead of 43 (which was his player option), but he's also getting 39.6 for two more seasons after that.

Kyrie won’t be out all season. His rehab is going great and he might actually be back early.

[Dan Z]

This literally is the best option possible for the Mavericks. To trade Luka and not hold on to Kyrie or AD would be foolish.

Mavericks are now under the 2nd apron after this deal if I remember correctly.

They have plenty of players to trade if needed this season... and best of all, everyone expires at the same time to completely rebuild around Flagg if all else fails.

How many HOFs take a pay cut like that? Kyrie is in it to win it. This is his team now. Cooper's in the future.

A pay cut? He's currently injured and most likely will be out all season.

Yes he'll get 39.6 million next year instead of 43 (which was his player option), but he's also getting 39.6 for two more seasons after that.

Kyrie won’t be out all season. His rehab is going great and he might actually be back early.

When Kyrie comes back he'll have to shake off the rust, plus will he be the same player he was before the injury? Remember Klay...he wasn't the same.

[Michaellam1987]

I get why they both agreed to it, but I'm not going to call it a pay cut.

Where else would he go? Who else was going to pay him?

If he is unhappy, he can simply opt in 43M this year, and using injury as excuse to play very little to rest and then go to FA market next year. Next year, there will be tons of team having cap space, and some teams such as LAL/MIA/HOU/DET/LAC/MIA may all be interested.

All those teams have cap space and would be interested in a 33 year old (34 when they sign him) player coming off a major injury?

Irving's skillset is not entirely based on athleticism, and if his body condition is still fairly good, team can just offer him 2-3 years, to figure for the chance for championship.

[Dan Z]

If he is unhappy, he can simply opt in 43M this year, and using injury as excuse to play very little to rest and then go to FA market next year. Next year, there will be tons of team having cap space, and some teams such as LAL/MIA/HOU/DET/LAC/MIA may all be interested.

All those teams have cap space and would be interested in a 33 year old (34 when they sign him) player coming off a major injury?

Irving's skillset is not entirely based on athleticism, and if his body condition is still fairly good, team can just offer him 2-3 years, to figure for the chance for championship.

Who? Most teams are capped out. Some teams like Boston are cutting salary. Who would do a sign and trade for him?

Anyone who trades for him now will probably have wait a year for him to rehab (or if he comes back early he'll need to shake off any rust).

The teams thay have cap space are rebuilding or won't have any interest (such as the Nets).

[Michaellam1987]

All those teams have cap space and would be interested in a 33 year old (34 when they sign him) player coming off a major injury?

Irving's skillset is not entirely based on athleticism, and if his body condition is still fairly good, team can just offer him 2-3 years, to figure for the chance for championship.

Who? Most teams are capped out. Some teams like Boston are cutting salary. Who would do a sign and trade for him?

Anyone who trades for him now will probably have wait a year for him to rehab (or if he comes back early he'll need to shake off any rust).

The teams that have cap space are rebuilding or won't have any interest (such as the Nets).

Not this year, NEXT year.

[Dan Z]

Irving's skillset is not entirely based on athleticism, and if his body condition is still fairly good, team can just offer him 2-3 years, to figure for the chance for championship.

Who? Most teams are capped out. Some teams like Boston are cutting salary. Who would do a sign and trade for him?

Anyone who trades for him now will probably have wait a year for him to rehab (or if he comes back early he'll need to shake off any rust).

The teams that have cap space are rebuilding or won't have any interest (such as the Nets).

Not this year, NEXT year.

Same thing next year. He'll be a 34 year old player coming off a major injury who will want a big salary. (40+ a year). Who is doing that?

[Michaellam1987]

Who? Most teams are capped out. Some teams like Boston are cutting salary. Who would do a sign and trade for him?

Anyone who trades for him now will probably have wait a year for him to rehab (or if he comes back early he'll need to shake off any rust).

The teams that have cap space are rebuilding or won't have any interest (such as the Nets).

Not this year, NEXT year.

Same thing next year. He'll be a 34 year old player coming off a major injury who will want a big salary. (40+ a year). Who is doing that?

Obviously CHI won't be interested, but there will be teams being interested. A simple question to you, assume KD is a FA, and if teams are with enough cap space, seriously, out of 30 teams, you don't agree there will be at least 2-3 teams being interested? You don't need many teams being interested, just 1 is enough, see Harden, see George, only 1 team can make you losing you own mega FA. I think the discussion stop here, just go back to think, not only from your favorite team or the team you are supporting, try to think from all 30 teams' angle of view.

[Dan Z]

Not this year, NEXT year.

Same thing next year. He'll be a 34 year old player coming off a major injury who will want a big salary. (40+ a year). Who is doing that?

Obviously CHI won't be interested, but there will be teams being interested. A simple question to you, assume KD is a FA, and if teams are with enough cap space, seriously, out of 30 teams, you don't agree there will be at least 2-3 teams being interested? You don't need many teams being interested, just 1 is enough, see Harden, see George, only 1 team can make you losing you own mega FA. I think the discussion stop here, just go back to think, not only from your favorite team or the team you are supporting, try to think from all 30 teams' angle of view.

Different situations for those players. Harden was traded to the Clippers and he had just lead the league in assists per game. Paul George had back-to-back all-star seasons before Philly signed him.

Durant isn't a free agent and he had value in a trade, but not as much as people originally thought he'd have.

What team needs a point guard and has either cap space or assets to trade for him? Look at the list of teams. I can't name one (they'd also have to be a team that's not rebuilding).

On top of that there's the apron. Teams are dealing with that too.

[Black Jack]

Around 70m/yr? Did i get that right?

This is my quant.

[Mr B]

All those teams have cap space and would be interested in a 33 year old (34 when they sign him) player coming off a major injury?

Irving's skillset is not entirely based on athleticism, and if his body condition is still fairly good, team can just offer him 2-3 years, to figure for the chance for championship.

Who? Most teams are capped out. Some teams like Boston are cutting salary. Who would do a sign and trade for him?

Anyone who trades for him now will probably have wait a year for him to rehab (or if he comes back early he'll need to shake off any rust).

The teams thay have cap space are rebuilding or won't have any interest (such as the Nets).

So you’re saying that Kyrie has no value?

[Dan Z]

Irving's skillset is not entirely based on athleticism, and if his body condition is still fairly good, team can just offer him 2-3 years, to figure for the chance for championship.

Who? Most teams are capped out. Some teams like Boston are cutting salary. Who would do a sign and trade for him?

Anyone who trades for him now will probably have wait a year for him to rehab (or if he comes back early he'll need to shake off any rust).

The teams thay have cap space are rebuilding or won't have any interest (such as the Nets).

So you’re saying that Kyrie has no value?

Yep. At most very limited value. He's 33 years old, coming off a major injury and requires a ton of money.

Let's look at the NBA.

Teams that are rebuilding (they'd have no interest in him at his age/cost/injury):
Chicago
Charlotte
Utah
Raptors
Wizards
Blazers
New Orleans (they just drafted a PG and eventually Murray will be back).

Teams that are good, but already have a point guard:
Cavs
Knicks
Pacers
Pistons
Hawks
Spurs
76ers (Good depends on their health, but they have guards and no assets for him).
Thunder
Warriors
Clippers
Grizzlies (Good...I'm not sure, but they have Ja. No need for Kyrie)
Rockets

Teams that he was previously on that would have no interest in a reunion:
Boston
Brooklyn

Teams that have limited assets to trade (and/or are over the cap):
Denver
Suns
Bucks
Magic (they just traded for Beal)
Heat
Lakers
Minnesota
Kings

That's it. That's all 30 teams (not including the Mavs).