Kyrie Irving is set to make a lot of money this summer. Not only is he going to have a max contract offer from the Dallas Mavericks in his hands, but he could also have a new signature shoe deal being announced as well.
Ever since Nike abruptly severed ties with Irving over an anti-Semitism controversy, Irving has been rumored to sign with a Chinese shoemaker next. Anta, a brand Klay Thompson is signed with, has a heavy interest in securing Irving’s services.
Buzz in China: Anta has HEAVY interest in 1️⃣1️⃣ https://t.co/wjxHFemZHS
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) May 28, 2023
With Li-Ning reportedly out of the race, Anta could be a solid option for Irving. Given the popularity of his shoes with Nike, it’s fair to assume whichever brand he signs with will see a boost in popularity. It’s a summer of negotiations for Irving, who is going to test free agency amidst heavy interest from the Lakers.
Where Will Kyrie Irving End Up?
Whether it’s shoes or teams, it’s hard for anyone to figure out what Irving is planning to do this summer. At least his decision as a free agent this summer to join a team has more clear options than his shoe situation. Multiple reports have suggested that the Mavericks are hell-bent on re-signing Kyrie and will not help him get to any other team via a sign-and-trade. They had the same outlook with Jalen Brunson last season but saw the Knicks sign him after they dumped a lot of salaries to open up the money to sign him outright.
The Lakers do not have the same flexibility, given they have two max contract players that will not be moved to facilitate Irvin joining the squad. Unless Irving is willing to take a massive discount, the Lakers will need to give Dallas something that they think is worth the hassle for arranging this S&T. D’Angelo Russell doesn’t move the needle, so the Lakers will have to get creative.
Irving prioritized his contract when he asked out of Brooklyn in the summer, wanting to go to a team with the bird rights that can re-sign him easily. The Lakers option would’ve existed regardless, so Kyrie didn’t need to leave Brooklyn to get that done. But Dallas is ready to use his bird rights and give him all the money they can to ensure they can build around him and Luka Doncic.
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