Mavericks' star Luka Doncic details his fit with Kyrie Irving: 'It's a great fit'
Luka Doncic explained that his fit with Kyrie Irving is ‘great,’ despite what their record said during the 2022-23 season.
DALLAS — When the Dallas Mavericks made a trade for Kyrie Irving a few days ahead of the NBA trade deadline, it was believed that the organization had landed one of the best backcourt running mates to pair with Luka Doncic.
The then top-six-seeded Mavericks appeared primed to leap into contention. But on Sunday, the Mavs finished an end-of-season mad dash to 11th place in the Western Conference, missing out on the NBA's Play-In Tournament despite having two NBA All-Stars on the roster.
After losing 138-117 to the San Antonio Spurs, Doncic took the podium for his end-of-season exit meeting, offering a counter-argument for the assumption that he and Irving aren't a win-producing duo.
"It's a great fit," Doncic said. "Obviously, people are going to say no… look at the results we are having. But, like I said, chemistry and relationships take time. I wish he could still be here. He's a great player. He just wants peace… a great person."
Together, Irving and Doncic didn't win much. They possessed a 5-11 record, and for much of the early portion of March, they battled injuries that kept them from being on the court together.
Doncic wants an opportunity to run with Irving for a full season.
Pending, however, is Irving's free agency.
After Friday's loss to the Chicago Bulls, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd explained that he has a good feeling that Irving will return to the team this summer.
"If I was a betting man, I guess I would say he would be back," Kidd said. "Why would I say he wouldn't? [Mavericks governor Mark] Cuban made it clear he is the number one priority to have him come back, so I would second that."
Bringing Irving back starts with agreeing on a contract. The Mavs possess Irving's bird rights, meaning they can offer him the most money out of any team in the NBA.
It has been widely reported that Irving is seeking a long-term contract. His max contract offer sits at five years $272 million.
Cuban, in his surprise media availability in recent days, was non-committal when asked if he would pay a full-length max contract extension to keep Irving.
“It’s not Kyrie or bust, but we want to keep him,” Cuban said. “I’m done giving ultimatums on players like I did last year.”
Theo Pinson, one of the players on Dallas' roster close to Irving, said that Irving has enjoyed his time in Dallas. He also detailed that re-signing the star guard is more about good people than anything else.
"We have so many people in our locker room, coaching staff, that are just positive. We just come to work every day and just work. It makes it a whole lot easier," Pinson said Friday.
"Even though it’s been tough, coming to work every day has been a joy also… I think that helps him [Kyrie] a lot, and that’s one thing that would help the Mavs pursue him this summer.”
Irving elected to not participate in an exit interview following Sunday's final game of the season. His side of the story will remain a mystery.
Though not a definitive sign that the Mavs are headed for troubled waters, it isn't the best omen.
Irving has yet to discuss what he intends to do regarding free agency, and when he was first traded to Dallas expressed that he wouldn't want to be asked questions surrounding summer's pending decision.
But with the season over and Irving's non-comment regarding his future in Dallas, Doncic appears primed to make a pitch and pea at keeping his All-Star running mate
