NBA Insiders Call Mavericks ‘Favorites’ to Re-Sign Kyrie Irving
"When you just said that right now, you basically wrote an article for somebody. That will be aggregated right there."
Chris Haynes, you're absolutely right, my friend.
On Friday's episode of #thisleague UNCUT, NBA Insiders Marc Stein and Haynes discussed the future of Damian Lillard, Zion Williamson, and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
And despite a rather disappointing end to their season, including opting to tank rather than fight for the play-in and missing the postseason all together, Stein believes that Dallas is the 'favorite' to retain Irving's services.
"To this point, I do think they (Mavericks) are the favorites to keep him in free agency because at this point, I still don't see an external suitor who's going to come after Kyrie," Stein said.
Haynes, Stein's co-host, agreed with his assessment of Irving's upcoming free agency.
"When it comes to Kyrie Irving, yes I would tend to agree with you as of right now," Haynes said. "I think you're right and the Mavericks being the favorites."
Irving chose not to partake in exit interviews with the media as questions about his future would certainly be the topic of conversation, but Mavericks GM Nico Harrison told the media he was 'optimistic' in Dallas' chances to re-sign Irving. Luka Doncic has also voiced his desire to continue playing alongside the eight-time All-Star.
"The tension is tangible," Stein said of the nerves surrounding the franchise and fanbase. "Because Brunson left for nothing, there is a lot of nerves. There's a lot of tension. Nobody wants to hear about optimism and confidence -- they want to hear that there's a deal done."
As long as the decision to tank didn't agitate Irving too much and the Mavericks' brass comes to the negotiating table with a feasible offer, Dallas should be the early leaders in the clubhouse to put the pen to paper come this offseason.
"I guarantee it. I'm gonna find it and I'm gonna send it to you," Haynes said of Stein's quote on Irving being aggregated in an article.
We'll be awaiting the retweet, Chris.
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