Mavs' Kyrie Irving Speaks on Free Agency: 'No Rush to Decide'
DALLAS — The top priority for the Dallas Mavericks will be to re-sign Kyrie Irving as he is set to enter free agency. After averaging 26.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists after being traded to the Mavs, the NBA All-Star starter
There have been increasing storylines surrounding Irving's impending free agency as the Los Angeles Lakers faced playoff elimination at the hands of Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Between talk of a "handshake agreement" with the Mavs and potential landing spots elsewhere, there's been a lot of conversation.
Irving spoke to his fans on Instagram Live to address the recent talk regarding his upcoming free agency — expressing that fans should not pay attention to media personalities discussing it.
"I'm a free agent this summer, but I am in no rush to make a decision," Irving said. "When [these media personalities] speak on my name and they're talking about potential teams that I'm going to, can y'all please — I respectfully, I'm asking you — stop paying attention to that."
Irving went further to explain how there have been many stories written about him that have been false. He wants to use his social media platform to address the latest in his life and career.
“People have hijacked my name," Irving said. "There's so many past stories that are untrue about me. I have the confidence to speak my truth.”
Irving has felt that online conversation regarding his free agency has impacted his interactions even at the dinner table.
“Stop mentioning me on Twitter. All y’all fan bases. It is still the Conference Finals," Irving said. "Can you please leave me the f**k out of this? Y’all got people at my dinner table discussing what my free agency plans are. I see all y’all mentions, I said it. I’m just excited as y’all are. But you gotta chill. I love y’all ”
The Mavs are allowed to start discussing specifics about a new contract the day after the NBA Finals. The free agent process starts on June 30, when players can begin negotiating contracts with teams. They can sign deals beginning on July 6.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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