Head coach Jason Kidd hopes Kyrie Irving — an impending free agent — spends the rest of his career with the Mavericks, he told Rachel Nichols of Showtime (Twitter video link).
“I think he truly is happy here, but that doesn’t guarantee us that he’s going to stay,” Kidd said (hat tip to NJ.com contributor Adam Zagoria). ” … We’re going to do everything to keep him. At the end of the day it’s his decision, we’ll see what that is. But at the end, we hope that we’ve done everything to make him comfortable, and want to be a Mav for life.”
A five-year, maximum-salary offer for Irving is projected to be worth $272MM. It seems unlikely that the Mavs would actually go that high, but you never know — they gave up real assets to acquire him, and losing him for nothing would be a disaster.
Here’s more from the Southwest:
- Emoni Bates, who worked out for Charlotte on Friday, also worked out for the Mavericks earlier this week, Zagoria tweets. A former five-star recruit, Bates is currently ranked No. 56 on ESPN’s big board after a relatively disappointing first two college seasons at Memphis and Eastern Michigan.
- Hiring an assistant coach with head coaching experience is a priority for the Pelicans, according to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, who notes (via Twitter) that head coach Willie Green has a good relationship with advisor Mike D’Antoni.
- The Grizzlies will need to rely on the leadership of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. going forward with Dillon Brooks likely to depart in free agency, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Des is a cornerstone, very significant piece of this group,” GM Zach Kleiman said. “I think he has an opportunity going forward to really establish himself as a key driver, key leader in this group. … I think he’ll have an even bigger opportunity to be a heart-and-soul-of-the-group kind of guy going forward.”
Where Dillion Brooks lands will be interesting and to see how much or little money he gets.
It’s more interesting that all people can seem to do is crap on him as a player and how not special he is and then talk about him and treat him like he is special in the same breath.
I have to imagine he gets between mini MLE 6.5 to 15 million. What’s likeliest is about 12 or 13. I think the new MLE is 12 and a team going a hair over that likely gets it done.
At worse the Lakers would give 6.5. They gave Lonnie Walker IV that and he’s never been good.
Memphis is done
It’ll be in Yuan…
Where is Yuan? You mean New York? Spell much? Lol. I really don’t see him as a priority for the knicks but mayyybe brooklyn??
Yuan is Chinese money…
Google can help you make more sense ;)
So he is playing in Chinese money? Huh?
The OP asks 2 questions…
Where and how much…
I answered both by listing the currency Dillons next contract will be in..
272 million… Let that sink in. Well done NBA. A beast of a league financially.
Rely on Morant for leadership?
Did that moron actually just write that? I’ve read some really dumb things on here over the years but relying on Morants leadership has to take the cake.
Ja Morant. Leadership. Wow. Just wow.
Sports leadership and IRL leadership aren’t one in the same. Morant can be a foolish individual, but good at getting teammates to do their best. That’s hardly rare in sports.
Can I get some of what Kidd has been taking?
Seems like really strong stuff… lol
Don’t see Kyrie on the Mavs. Would Kyrie be happier with the Lakers, will he take less to play with ‘Bron again? Those are the questions…
I agree losing Kyrie for nothing would be a disaster. Especially after losing Brunson for nothing. No way I’m giving him the max.
Notice how calm and mature Ky is being now. I’d never want this clown on my team.
(remember all the talking heads. And espn wannabees killing the Knicks for not signing him). Remember how much these idiots know about team building. So stop drinking the Koolaid.
Best thing Mavs can do. Is a sign n trade. I’m not going to trust Kyrie to honor his contract or commitment.