Kidd reveals what the Mavericks really think about Kyrie Irving ahead of free agency

The Dallas Mavericks are finally getting some rest after a wild schedule that saw them barely at home over the last month, as they will spend the next few days in Dallas before traveling to Golden State later this weekend.

Dallas is getting this break at the perfect time considering both PJ Washington and Maxi Kleber need to recover from illness, while Jaden Hardy gets a few extra days to care for his injured ankle and they’ll be heading into this game against the Warriors with a difficult situation go NBA Cup loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dallas turned the ball over 19 times in the game and OKC’s tight ball defense was too much for the Mavs as they couldn’t get their offense rolling consistently. Dallas needs to get a handle on this turnover problem that has been bothering them lately, and that includes their dynamic duo. Neither Luka Doncic nor Kyrie Irving could really get going as they only combined for 33 points

Despite this relatively quiet performance from Dallas’ star-studded duo, both have been excellent all season and are playing like they can hold their own for years to come. That being said, both are getting new contracts this summer, with Irving being the most serious considering he can become a free agent.

Kidd wants Irving to remain a Maverick for years to come

Irving has a player option this summer and could become an unrestricted free agent if he opts out. From everything he’s said about the team on and off the field, he seems to love Dallas, but the Mavs may have to pay up if they want to keep him. With the help of Doncic, he has helped make the team a consistent contender every year, and Jason Kidd recently reflected on Irving’s first 100 games with the Mavs earlier this week.

“I’m glad he reached the 100-game mark,” Kidd said. “Hopefully he has another 200 games here. If you look at what he has achieved on and off the field, the standard is very high. I think that’s what we expected when we made the move for him.”

Despite all the outside noise that surrounded Irving’s reputation during his time in Brooklyn and Boston, Kidd said the Mavs “expected” him to be as successful on the hardwood and off the court as he was in Dallas. Since arriving in Dallas, there hasn’t been a single off-field issue with Irving, and his influence on the field has been just as strong.

He and Doncic went from struggling to figure out how to play with each other to becoming one of the league’s most dominant duos, and Irving has helped give the Mavs their first serious duo in ages.

Kidd’s message about Irving shows that he obviously wants him around for many years to come, and the Mavs probably feel the same way. Kidd has done an excellent job of managing the locker room over the last few years with Irving and Doncic under center, and Irving has emerged as the team’s clear leader in less than two years.

Kidd needs more credit for making this era of Mavericks basketball work so gracefully, and he was instrumental in making the Irving Project a masterpiece. Kidd deserves all the credit he’s getting for the way he’s led this group lately, and he could end up being a big reason why Irving remains a Maverick (if he re-signs).

Kidd clearly sees Irving as a cornerstone of the franchise going forward, and we’ll know soon if Irving makes Dallas his long-term home.