Irving therefore chose to stay in Texas for 126 million dollars according to The Athletic and ESPN, with the third year optional, on his initiative. The transfer of the leader to the Mavs from Brooklyn had however resulted in an 11th place in the West, disappointing and synonymous with non-qualification for the play-offs. His association, while promising, with team leader Luka Doncic has only sparked off and on. In 20 appearances under the colors of the Mavs, the 2016 NBA champion with Cleveland however posted averages of 27 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, in his standards.
Accustomed to controversy in and out of the locker room, the eight-time All-Star, certainly talented, suffers from a bad reputation. He missed dozens of games with his ex-Nets franchise due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. This season, he was suspended eight games for promoting an anti-Semitic film on his social media and refused to apologize. What he ended up doing, forced.