Kyrie Irving opened up to Andscape about his struggles in connecting with team General Managers in his career until he reached Dallas. He shared how he never tried to build a relationship with his GMs, something that started in Cleveland after being drafted in 2011.
“When I came into the league, I wasn’t trying to get to know my GM on a personal level and his journey, and I don’t think he was trying to get to know me on a personal level. And it’s not his fault.”
He then went through all the GMs he’s played under and said that he now understands the human perspective of the business better than just demanding the biggest contracts.
“It was Chris Grant and then it was David Griffin [in Cleveland]. And then I went over to Boston and we had multiple owners and GM and Danny Ainge, a championship winner. And then going to Brooklyn with Sean Marks. So, you see guys in executive in positions, but I think now where I’m at in my life I know that I care more about the human perspective than I do just signing big contracts.”
Irving did show he valued relationships over money when he took a pay cut to stay with the Mavericks by signing a 3-year, $126 million contract with a player option last summer. He had been agitating for a max contract in Brooklyn but let that expectation go to build something special in Dallas.
Kyrie is shaking off the negative tags attached to him by buying into the Mavericks project and being a model leader in the locker room. Irving credits all of this to his improved maturity, a better understanding of the NBA, and his personal relationship with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison.
Kyrie Irving Trusts The Leadership In Dallas
Irving has never been known to have great relationships with executives and coaches, but that’s exactly what’s happening in Dallas. Irving has known Mavs GM Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd for years, as Harrison signed Kyrie to Nike at the start of his career and Kidd has always been one of Irving’s basketball idols.
Playing under Harrison and Kidd has given Kyrie the safety he felt he didn’t get in previous stops. This has also allowed Irving to accept a secondary role behind Luka Doncic. He’s thriving in his position in Dallas, averaging 26.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists through the 2024 Playoffs.
Kyrie has more reasons to put faith in the Mavericks brass than just the GM and head coach. Kyrie’s advocacy for African American representation is important to him and he’s in an organization that matches his values on multiple fronts.
The Mavericks brass is among the most diverse in American pro sports. Along with Harrison and Kidd, the Mavericks’ assistant general manager Michael Finley and Cynthia Marshall, the NBA’s first Black female CEO, carry major influence on the squad.
Dallas has provided the things Irving has yearned for in previous spots. He even said he wished the Mavericks had drafted him, that’s how much he likes being with the franchise and hopes to bring them a title.
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