There has been much speculation heading into NBA Free Agency where star point guard Kyrie Irving would end up. He didn’t waste much time making his decision, which was surprising to some.
Reports emerged on Friday ahead of the start of free agency that Irving would be meeting with Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns as he starts to narrow down his choice.
With so many teams seemingly in the mix, most would assume that this meant he could take some time to come to a decision. Instead, he made the surprising decision to return to the Dallas Mavericks on a massive contract.
Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news that Irving and the Mavericks agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract to stay with the team after the Mavericks traded for him at the trade deadline last season.
Free agent Kyrie Irving has agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract to return to the Dallas Mavericks, with a player option in third season, @TheAthletic @Stadium learned.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
It is certainly a huge move that moves the needle in the NBA landscape, and many fans took to social media to offer their opinion on the deal.
Welcome back to Dallas, @KyrieIrving !!! 🤞♾ pic.twitter.com/VqJzbi4Ywx
— MavsMuse (@MavsMuse) June 30, 2023
Kyrie Irving could’ve had a five-year $245.6 million deal with the #Nets 👇🏾 https://t.co/seyJo7JE8p
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 30, 2023
Time to run it back, @KyrieIrving. #MFFL pic.twitter.com/Mnp5C1yQXi
— Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg) June 30, 2023
Kyrie Irving settles for less than the max in years and value.
Brooklyn offered him more before he requested a trade. https://t.co/HhmvVa9l3u
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) June 30, 2023
KYRIE IRVING IS A DALLAS MAVERICK THANK YOU LORDDDDDDDD
— lynz (@lynziekate) June 30, 2023
Kyrie Irving has resigned with the Mavericks, per @ShamsCharania 👀
Are you betting the Mavericks to win The Finals at +2300? pic.twitter.com/gvtE6KoSXm
— br_betting (@br_betting) June 30, 2023
The Mavericks were always expected to be in the mix, so his return to Dallas isn’t all that shocking. However, making such a quick decision when other teams appeared to be in the consideration for him wasn’t what most expected.
Perhaps the biggest loser after this signing is the Los Angeles Lakers, who were heavily rumored to be involved in the Irving sweepstakes largely due to the obvious connection between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. They will now look elsewhere as they try to get over the hump in the Western Conference.
