Since acquiring All-Star guard Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, the Mavericks have gone just 9–16 and now find themselves in serious danger of missing the playoffs.
With just three games remaining, Dallas is a full game behind the Thunder for the No. 10 seed, the last spot in the play-in tournament. To make matters worse for Dallas, the Thunder own the tiebreaker over the Mavericks, which means Dallas actually has to make up a two-game deficit in the final three games to reach the playoffs—a near impossible task.
Despite the struggles meshing Irving and star Luka Dončić, the Mavericks still intend to sign their newly-acquired guard to a long-term deal this summer, according to a report from Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Irving is extension eligible, but can sign a more lucrative deal in free agency and intends to test the waters. Per Haynes, Dallas’s intention is to surround Dončić and Irving with versatile wing defenders and rim protectors to improve their struggling defense.
Irving will have a market, but likely not as large as it once was given his tendency to ask out of situations with teams when the going gets tough. The Lakers have long been linked to Irving, as star LeBron James has been open to playing with his former point guard again in Los Angeles.
Other teams will certainly be involved, but the Mavericks are optimistic that they will keep Irving and Dončić together and build the team around their two star players.
