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

[kingr]

I think this is a good deal. Only a 2+ for a 33 year old. worst case scenario, mavs suffer for 2 years then he's off the books. And they have cooper flag who will hopefully keep the spirits high in dallas.

[Shock Defeat]

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

Math that hard in the US these days?

Not really. If you count the amount of years Kyrie is actually going to play, it might be around 70m per playing year

[BigGargamel]

On a team with an actual intelligent front office this is what they’d do but unfortunately they are run by Nico Harrison.

It’s crazy they think this can work. If you had asked them immediately after the AD trade how long their window was they’d probably say 3 years. They lost the first year, are going to lose the 2nd year and then Kyrie is a big ? in year 3. Any GM with any common sense would have cut his losses, admitted Kyrie’s injury killed the best 2 years they would have had hit the reset button (especially after landing Flagg). Instead nope, the team will be solid, Kyrie and AD will age out and they’ll be left with a weak asset base to build around Flagg.

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.

[Dan Z]

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.

Kyrie will probably be out all year, so there most likely won't be any winning with him until he's back and the rust is off. He'll be 34 at that time...will he be the same player? Maybe.

I get why the Mavs gave him this extension, even though I don't think I would've done it.

[BigGargamel]

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.

Kyrie will probably be out all year, so there most likely won't be any winning with him until he's back and the rust is off. He'll be 34 at that time...will he be the same player? Maybe.

I get why the Mavs gave him this extension, even though I don't think I would've done it.

Davis, Flagg, Gafford, Thompson, Washington, Lively, Christie, probably a stop gap PG in the mean time. Not exactly a title threat, but definitely in the mix for a playoff spot.

They absolutely are not trading Anthony Davis. Not after Nico Harrison risked his reputation to bring him in as the main guy for Luka. He's going to ride or die with that guy now.

[Dan Z]

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.

Kyrie will probably be out all year, so there most likely won't be any winning with him until he's back and the rust is off. He'll be 34 at that time...will he be the same player? Maybe.

I get why the Mavs gave him this extension, even though I don't think I would've done it.

Davis, Flagg, Gafford, Thompson, Washington, Lively, Christie, probably a stop gap PG in the mean time. Not exactly a title threat, but definitely in the mix for a playoff spot.

They absolutely are not trading Anthony Davis. Not after Nico Harrison risked his reputation to bring him in as the main guy for Luka. He's going to ride or die with that guy now.

True, but a good franchise/GM will pivot when things change and they changed a lot when Kyrie went down and they got the #1 pick.

Having said that you're right...he won't trade AD (at least not now).

[vxmike]

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.

Kyrie will probably be out all year, so there most likely won't be any winning with him until he's back and the rust is off. He'll be 34 at that time...will he be the same player? Maybe.

I get why the Mavs gave him this extension, even though I don't think I would've done it.

Davis, Flagg, Gafford, Thompson, Washington, Lively, Christie, probably a stop gap PG in the mean time. Not exactly a title threat, but definitely in the mix for a playoff spot.

They absolutely are not trading Anthony Davis. Not after Nico Harrison risked his reputation to bring him in as the main guy for Luka. He's going to ride or die with that guy now.

Yup they aren’t gonna trade AD for scraps at this point. They’re just going to try to win from the start with Flagg.

Anyways both AD and Kyrie expire at the end of Flagg’s 3rd season, so they will potentially have an insane amount of cap space that summer.

[mfletcher4177]

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.

[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.

[tsherkin]

Deal isn't unreasonable in size or length. Around the time it ends, Dallas might be starting to try something again. They're going to be dealing with injuries and growing-pains type seasons for the next year or two at least, and having whatever presence Kyrie can manage over that time will help.

Not bad. Not amazing, but not bad. What else were they gonna do? If he and AD are any kind of healthy over the remainder of this deal, and Flagg comes through on like 60% of his hype, they should be an interesting team.

[MrGoat]

The injury meant Kyrie was definitely staying in Dallas, especially with the cap situation of most teams this offseason. He wanted more long term money and this contract gives it to him with a player option as the third year which means he can test the market again in after 2027 if he wants and still get paid to miss a large chunk of next season. Or just take the option if it doesn't work out

[mfletcher4177]

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.

I believe it helped them get under the apron, I could be wrong.

But what would be a reasonable deal for Kyrie at this point? How much per year? You have players like Jrue Holiday getting paid similar money, yet Kyrie is clearly the leader of this team. He took a pay cut to help the team... If he doesn't come back as Kyrie, then yes.. Bad contract. If he comes back as 90% of Kyrie, this is a great contract.

[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.

I believe it helped them get under the apron, I could be wrong.

But what would be a reasonable deal for Kyrie at this point? How much per year? You have players like Jrue Holiday getting paid similar money, yet Kyrie is clearly the leader of this team. He took a pay cut to help the team... If he doesn't come back as Kyrie, then yes.. Bad contract. If he comes back as 90% of Kyrie, this is a great contract.

I don't look at getting a 3 year 119 million dollar extension as a pay cut. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider he had a major injury and is 33 years old.

Where else would he go? Who were the Mavs competing with?

[mfletcher4177]

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.

I believe it helped them get under the apron, I could be wrong.

But what would be a reasonable deal for Kyrie at this point? How much per year? You have players like Jrue Holiday getting paid similar money, yet Kyrie is clearly the leader of this team. He took a pay cut to help the team... If he doesn't come back as Kyrie, then yes.. Bad contract. If he comes back as 90% of Kyrie, this is a great contract.

I don't look at getting a 3 year 119 million dollar extension as a pay cut. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider he had a major injury and is 33 years old.

Where else would he go? Who were the Mavs competing with?

I honestly don't know where else he would go. Not sure what teams would be appealing for him via FA or if he would force a trade. Just happy he is still with the Mavericks. I would let AD walk or ask for a trade before Kyrie.

We will see if it works out. It is a lot of money that he was paid but I still think it was the best for the Mavs.

[Dan Z]

I believe it helped them get under the apron, I could be wrong.

But what would be a reasonable deal for Kyrie at this point? How much per year? You have players like Jrue Holiday getting paid similar money, yet Kyrie is clearly the leader of this team. He took a pay cut to help the team... If he doesn't come back as Kyrie, then yes.. Bad contract. If he comes back as 90% of Kyrie, this is a great contract.

I don't look at getting a 3 year 119 million dollar extension as a pay cut. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider he had a major injury and is 33 years old.

Where else would he go? Who were the Mavs competing with?

I honestly don't know where else he would go. Not sure what teams would be appealing for him via FA or if he would force a trade. Just happy he is still with the Mavericks. I would let AD walk or ask for a trade before Kyrie.

We will see if it works out. It is a lot of money that he was paid but I still think it was the best for the Mavs.

I understand why they did it, but I wouldn't call it a pay cut. My guess is the Mavs probably offered him a number knowing that it would put them under the apron and Kyrie said yes.

I do think teams should test the market more than they do, but that's a separate conversation. In this situation the Mavs wanted to continue with Kyrie/AD and are hoping that in a year they'll be ready to compete.

[mfletcher4177]

I don't look at getting a 3 year 119 million dollar extension as a pay cut. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider he had a major injury and is 33 years old.

Where else would he go? Who were the Mavs competing with?

I honestly don't know where else he would go. Not sure what teams would be appealing for him via FA or if he would force a trade. Just happy he is still with the Mavericks. I would let AD walk or ask for a trade before Kyrie.

We will see if it works out. It is a lot of money that he was paid but I still think it was the best for the Mavs.

I understand why they did it, but I wouldn't call it a pay cut. My guess is the Mavs probably offered him a number knowing that it would put them under the apron and Kyrie said yes.

I do think teams should test the market more than they do, but that's a separate conversation. In this situation the Mavs wanted to continue with Kyrie/AD and are hoping that in a year they'll be ready to compete.

I feel you brotha. We have a long off-season to go.

Nico effed the whole organization up after the Luka trade. If he were to let Kyrie (last leader of the team), AD, or Flagg leave at this point... The city of Dallas would go further off the rails. Kyrie got hurt showing heart after a Luka trade and I think it was always the plan to keep him. If you trade two of your top players that brought you to the finals; a year prior.. Something has gone horribly wrong.

***EDIT*** Let Kyrie leave(money be damned) or keep Dwight Powell. Nico had no option after the BS trade.

[parapooper]

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

You did not.

It’s 119 million for 3 years.

Not sure how you could have gotten 70 tbh.

You could get there by assuming 1.7 years actual availability.
For a guy who averaged 56 games/year for his career (45 games/year the last 6 seasons) and will be back 1 year into this contract following his most major injury yet I would say 1.1 years availability sounds more realistic - so that's around 110M$/year.
Slight overpay for a 34/35 year-old who will be playing even worse defense than when he was young and "healthy".

[kanofwindHK]

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.

Kyrie will probably be out all year, so there most likely won't be any winning with him until he's back and the rust is off. He'll be 34 at that time...will he be the same player? Maybe.

I get why the Mavs gave him this extension, even though I don't think I would've done it.

the last report said he will come back as early as january 2026, let's see

[kanofwindHK]

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.

it is believe that Irving will earn 36.7M / 39.7M / 42.6M in the coming 3 years, and immediately Irving earn 7M less now, that allow Mavs to go under 2nd apron and also have the 5.7M tax-payer MLE to sign a short term PG in replace now. It is a win-win game

[kanofwindHK]

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.

I believe it helped them get under the apron, I could be wrong.

But what would be a reasonable deal for Kyrie at this point? How much per year? You have players like Jrue Holiday getting paid similar money, yet Kyrie is clearly the leader of this team. He took a pay cut to help the team... If he doesn't come back as Kyrie, then yes.. Bad contract. If he comes back as 90% of Kyrie, this is a great contract.

Yes, it is the point, it is trade off, and at least at this moment, Irving pay cut lat Mavs go under 2nd apron and have the 5.7M tax-payer MLE toi sign a short term PG to replace