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NBA free agency 2023: Kyrie Irving staying with the Mavericks was the only and best option

It was the only option for the Dallas Mavericks, weary as they are.

It was the best option for Kyrie Irving, who got what he wanted despite the belief he had very little leverage.

The mistakes of the past created the need of the present for both parties, who now must embark upon the battle of building around Luka Donu010diu0107 and Irving, hoping they’ll play well together and the other corresponding pieces will augment this cemented partnership.

Irving’s three-year pact worth $126 million isn’t at Damian Lillard levels (estimated $60 million a year starting in 2025-26) and is below what Fred VanVleet received from the Houston Rockets — a team Irving was rumored to visit in the coming days.