Mavs Notes: Kyrie Irving, LaMarcus Aldridge, Justin Holiday

February 14, 2023

Star guard Kyrie Irving is eligible for a contract extension but apparently, he isn’t about to talk about it.

“It puts unwarranted distractions on us and our team,” Irving said, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “I’ve dealt with it before, and it’s very emotionally draining to ask questions like, ‘What’s the long term? What’s the long term?'”

In lieu of an extension, Irving will become a free agent on June 30. The Mavs acquired him in a deal with the Nets a few days before the trade deadline.

Despite the potential of Irving leaving in the offseason, GM Nice Harrison said he had no issue making the deal.

“I don’t see any risk involved,” said Mavs general manager Nico Harrison, a former longtime Nike executive whose relationship with Irving dates to the guard’s high school days. “I’ve known Kyrie for a long time. I know his core. I know what kind of person that he is. I think anybody that’s ever watched him play basketball knows the type of basketball player he is.

“So I don’t see the risk involved. I actually see the risk in not doing the deal.”

The Mavericks dropped a 124-121 decision to the Timberwolves in Irving’s home debut on Monday. Irving scored 36 points and guard Luka Doncic added 33, with Irving sizzling to the tune of 11-of-12 shooting in the fourth quarter.

Dallas is 0-2 with Irving and Doncic in the lineup, though things could pick up after the All-Star Break, when they play six straight games at home.
Veteran forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge will work out for the Mavericks on Tuesday, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Aldridge, 37, averaged 12.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 47 games with the Nets last season.
In case you missed it, the Mavs are adding guard/forward Justin Holiday, who was traded from the Hawks to the Rockets, then had his contract bought out. The Mavs have been looking to add more perimeter shooting around Doncic and Irving.