The Mavericks expect Kyrie Irving back next season and want to keep him; Marc Stein says they rejected trade interest since June. A Lakers move remains hypothetical: Los Angeles cannot currently absorb Irving's $39.5 million salary next season, the article says.
Former Lakers guard Danny Green predicted Irving would not stay in Dallas for the full season. The article says Los Angeles already has a large share of its payroll committed to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and new center Walker Kessler; Irving's deal extends through 2027-28 with a player option.
Green also questioned how Irving, Dončić and Reaves would share the ball, and the article notes a three-guard lineup could be difficult defensively. Irving and Dončić previously led Dallas to the 2024 NBA Finals.
