Kyrie Irving re-upped with the Dallas Mavericks after a few months of tension regarding his future, taking a three-year, $126 million extension to stay as Luka Doncic‘s co-star on the franchise.
Irving’s extension was handled entirely by his stepmother Shetellia Riley Irving, who became the first Black woman to negotiate and complete an NBA contract.
Kyrie Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, will become the first Black woman to negotiate and complete an NBA contract. https://t.co/hcI5HaKDAe
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
Irving seems to surround himself with his family in business, as he thanked not only his stepmother but also his father, Drederick Irving.
“Big Shoutout to my agent Shetellia Riley Irving and my business manager Drederick Irving, who did a great job throughout the whole entire process. Thank you.”
Big Shoutout to
My Agent Shetellia Riley Irving
and
My business manager Drederick Irving,
who did a great job throughout the whole entire process.
Thank you
A11EVEN MANAGEMENT FIRM
Hélà
🤞🏾♾
— Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) June 30, 2023
Irving’s contract lines up with Luka Doncic’s, as the third year of Irving’s contract (player option) will be the final year Dallas has Luka under contract before his player option kicks in the 2026/27 season. The Mavs have picked the co-star they will hitch their wagon to and will pray this partnership works out this season.
The Recipe For Dallas’s Success
In Luka’s five seasons with the Mavericks, last season was the first time Dallas has underachieved. They made the playoffs in both 2020 and 2021, when few picked them to due to their stagnant roster. Despite that, the Mavs managed to exceed expectations wholly in 2022 and make it to the Western Conference Finals. Last offseason, they objectively got worse with Jalen Brunson’s departure and paid for it by missing the playoffs after the Kyrie trade.
This offseason, the Mavs have addressed team needs through the draft. They need to add depth and are holding on to their non-tax mid-level exception until Thursday, when restricted free agents can be signed to contracts. Dallas has prized Grant Williams for a while, but could also make moves for Matisse Thybulle or PJ Washington if Grant isn’t available.
Their roster will look more complete after another major addition, and playoff hopes can be realistically achieved. To succeed with Kyrie and Luka, the team needs to surround them with big defensive wings, something they have openly said they’re targeting. Hopefully, this works out, and free agency doesn’t bite them in the behind for a second consecutive season.
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