Shortly after the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving, there was speculation that he could still end up with either the Phoenix Suns or Los Angeles Lakers. Both the Suns and Lakers tried to trade for Irving before he was moved to the Mavericks. The Suns went on to trade for Kevin Durant, while the Lakers traded for a package that included D’Angelo Russell. The Lakers could conceivably create cap space to sign Irving, or possibly incentivize the Mavericks to participate in a sign-and-trade.
Either way, the Mavericks acquired Irving to keep him and they have the capacity to offer him the most money.
“I think it’s more likely than not Kyrie Irving stays in Dallas,” said Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN. “Just because of what they invested in him. And his chance to get the kind of contract he wants… I think given of what they gave up and Dallas’ track record of being willing to pay players who want to be there. I think it’s more likely than not Kyrie Irving is in Dallas. Of course it can all change.
“I do think [the Lakers] traded for Russell with the idea they’ll go forward with him on a new deal.”
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