As the Dallas Mavericks gear up for the upcoming 2023-24 season, the continued integration of Kyrie Irving remains a central focus. Following the midseason trade with the Brooklyn Nets in February, the Mavs were well aware that Irving would become a free agent in the subsequent summer, concluding the final year of his previous contract.
Irving chose to re-sign with the Mavericks, committing to a three-year, $120 million contract, with the potential to escalate to $126 million based on performance incentives. He gave credit to his agent and stepmother, Shetellia Riley Irving, for their work in negotiating the deal. Furthermore, Irving expressed his affinity for Dallas as his preferred destination:
“It started with my agent, Shetellia, who is also my stepmother, a family-run business, so she has my best interests at heart. It wasn’t too difficult of a process. I had Dallas as number one on my list.”
Kyrie Irving said the process of re-signing was easy for him. “Dallas was always top of my list.”
He said he sees Dallas as somewhere he can settle in and his family was all onboard and excited to stay here. pic.twitter.com/Wc5U4adHuQ
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) September 28, 2023
Speaking publicly for the first time since inking the three-year, $126 million deal with the Mavericks, Irving disclosed that remaining in Dallas was his top priority during free agency. He conveyed this sentiment during a recent practice session, stating:
“It wasn’t too difficult of a process. Had Dallas as number one on my list. Obviously I looked elsewhere — salary cap opportunities, where I could fit in with other guys around the league — but there just wasn’t much space. And me being 31 now, I had to have a different vantage point, and I felt like I could not just settle here but be happy to come back here and be welcomed back with a warm embrace. So I took everything into account.”
Irving’s contract features a player option for the final season and includes $6 million in incentives, consisting of $1 million annually for playing at least 65 games and an additional $1 million if the team achieves at least 50 wins while Irving plays a minimum of 58 games. These incentives are categorized as unlikely since Irving did not attain them in the previous season when he participated in a total of 60 games between the Brooklyn Nets and the Mavs, and the Dallas team finished with a 38-44 record.
Irving clarified his intentions regarding the contract structure, emphasizing a desire for incentives tied to his performance and the team’s success, saying:
“I wanted everything that was structured in my contract incentive-wise to be based on production and that was wins and how many games I’m playing. I hear all the noise. So I just wanted to make sure that I had some friendly terms, but also some realistic expectations for myself going into the season, looking to just play as many games as possible.”
