When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving, the organization thought would make a playoff run. 

That evidently didn't happen. And now, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavs are feeling pressure to make sure Irving re-signs in Dallas come free agency. 

Stein appeared on the 97.1 The Freak to talk about the Mavericks on Saturday. He directly addressed the star's pending free agency. And he explained that there is a dark timeline that can change the trajectory of the team for the foreseeable future. 

“The Mavericks have to come up with a contract as team-friendly as they can but that doesn’t leave Kyrie feeling as if he was shortchanged, and that’s a really, really tough needle to thread," Stein said. “Who’s coming after him? Where is the market for Kyrie Irving right now? I frankly don’t see one.” 

Irving has been reportedly seeking a five-year, $200 million-plus contract extension to stay in Dallas. Team Governor Mark Cuban didn't offer any assurance that he would be willing to pay the steep asking price for Irving. But, if the Mavs don't retain Irving, Luka Doncic will be out another star running mate with marginal improvement around him on the roster. 

Losing Irving appears to be a real threat. Seeing him walk out of the door would be the nail in the proverbial coffin for the organization. 

“The Mavericks feel like they obviously have to bring him back given what they traded to get him," Stein said. “If Kyrie walks without compensation like Brunson did, absolute dagger.”

It is a big summer for Nico Harrison, Mavericks general manager, and Cuban, who have to remake this flawed Mavericks roster to better suit a backcourt that features both Doncic and Irving. 

That means surrounding those two with capable defenders who can stretch the floor with their shooting. It also means finding an upgrade at the center position, which has long been an area of need for Dallas. 

The first domino in rebuilding the roster is securing the team's top-10 protected pick. The draft lottery is set for May 16.