Kyrie Irving Refuses to Discuss Long Term Future With Mavericks As He Makes Home Debut

• Kyrie Irving has requested the media stop asking him about his future with his team
• He recently joined the Dallas Mavericks and will be a free agent by the end of the season
• He failed to put up a shot in the final seconds of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves

Kyrie Irving has said he does not want to discuss his future because it distracts the team, as he tries to gel with MVP candidate, Luka Doncic.

The 30-year-old recently joined the Dallas Mavericks after a blockbuster trade that saw the Mavs send forward Dorian Finney-Smith, guard Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and two second-rounders to the Brooklyn Nets.

The 2016 NBA champion made his home debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves but the team narrowly lost 124-121. Nevertheless, he had a great game, dropping 26 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter - the most he's ever had in his career in any quarter.

Luka Doncic reveals how he will play alongside Kyrie Irving in Dallas

NBA

Irving and Doncic have now lost both of the two games they've played together. Sacramento Kings beat them in overtime in their last game.

They had a chance to make a shot in the game's dying embers, but their comeback fell short. Doncic and Irving passed the ball back and forth, failing to put a shot up before turning the ball over.

Irving on his future

Speaking before the game, Irving requested the media not to ask questions about his future.

"It puts unwarranted distractions on us and our team. I've dealt with it before, and it's very emotionally draining to ask questions like, 'What's the long term? What's the long term?'", he said via ESPN.

The comment caused jitters among the Mavericks fan base because Irving has a history of unfulfilled promises.

Luka Doncic plays first game with Kyrie Irving for Mavericks but lose in OT to Kings

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According to CBS Sports, he vowed never to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and later requested a trade. He said he planned on resigning from the Boston Celtics but went on to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. He was heavily linked with the Los Angeles Lakers before joining Dallas and given his connection with LeBron James, he may end up joining him.

Since he was recently traded, Irving can only sign a two-year contract extension worth up to $83-million during the season.

He could sign a four-year, $220.6-mil supermax contract extension during free agency, or as a free agent, he would re-sign with the Mavs for up to $272-mil over five years.

Doncic on playing with Irving

Sports Brief earlier reported on Doncic explaining how he would play alongside Irving, who signed from the Nets a week ago.

He acknowledged he has never played with a ball-dominant player like the former Cleveland Cavaliers guard, but is ready to play off the ball to accommodate him.

Doncic heaped praise on Irving, calling him the best ballhandler in the sport. However, it is clear the two stars are still learning to play together.