dallas mavericks

Kyrie Irving Signs Massive Deal With Chinese Sportswear Giant ANTA

by

Kyrie Irving, who recently re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a 3-year/$120 million contract, has officially left Nike. The veteran guard, who has been a Nike athlete since 2014, will now take his signature sneaker line to ANTA, a major sportswear company based in China. The amount that the deal will pay Irving was not disclosed. However, it is believed that the initial deal between Irving and ANTA has a duration of five years. Furthermore, Irving is to be named Chief Creative Officer of the company. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, “The lucrative new shoe deal for Irving will also give him the ability to recruit/sign players and other collaborators, and bring a level of manufacturing to the United States to kickstart ANTA’s process to fully distribute in [the] US.”

ANTA already has several deals in place with American athletes. Kevin Looney and Klay Thompson are both ANTA athletes, as are Gordon Hayward, Rajon Rondo, and James Wiseman. Beyond the United States, ANTA has deals in place with Manny Pacquaio and the IOC. Furthermore, the company serves as a sponsor for 26 Chinese national sports teams.

Who is ANTA?

In a US-centric world, ANTA is something of a sleeping giant. Founded in 1994, the company is the largest pure sports equipment manufacturer in the world. In terms of sporting goods, ANTA sits third behind Nike and Adidas. While maintaining a model of consistent success since the mid-90s, ANTA’s international footprint exploded thanks to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Two years after the event, they would land their first major international star in Kevin Garnett. The aforementioned Thompson signed with ANTA in 2017. Going beyond footwear, the company acquired Wilson in 2019. You may know Wilson as the producer of equipment for most ball sports.

However, the company is not without controversy, especially when it comes to the US and international relations. When the Houston Rockets tweeted support for Hong Kong in late 2019, ANTA was one of the Chinese companies that announced a boycott of the NBA. Furthermore, ANTA was identified as “digging in” by Yale University in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. As mentioned by Charania, the unique position that Irving’s deal has granted the athlete means that ANTA is likely about to make a major push into the US market in the coming months and years.

[via]

The post Kyrie Irving Signs Massive Deal With Chinese Sportswear Giant ANTA appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Mark Cuban On Kyrie Irving After Contract Extension: “I Like Him”

by

Mark Cuban spearheaded the option to resign mercurial NBA superstar Kyrie Irving back to the Dallas Mavericks. The two sides got a deal done for three years, $126 million fully guaranteed. The 31-year-old is now contracted through the 2025-2026 NBA season, and Kyrie seems pleased with this development. Mark Cuban is also happy with how it all went down. On SiriusXM NBA Radio, he told New York reporter and sports analyst Frank Isola why he traded for Kyrie last year and why he signed him for the near future.

“…We traded for [Kyrie Irving] because we wanted him to be a long-term piece,” Mark Cuban said on SiriusXM. “I think Kyrie’s just misunderstood.” Cuban explains his stance further: “Everybody sees all the noise and everything around him, but when you actually talk to him, I like him. He’s open, he’s smart, he’s always looking to learn things, and to me, he’s an interesting guy that’s just misunderstood.” Kyrie Irving has been long known for his off-the-court opinions and refusal to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: Kyrie Irving Dazzles In Latest Video: Watch

What Mark Cuban Really Thinks Of Kyrie Irving

Cuban was genuinely surprised when Kyrie Irving came to the Dallas Mavericks midway through last season. The Mavs traded for him, taking him from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, two future first-round picks, and a future second-rounder. Dallas also got Markieff Morris in the deal to make the contract amounts work. So when Kyrie began to play games for the Mavs organization, Mark Cuban was shocked at how many other players in the league would come up to the point guard to show love.

“Not just giving him a high five, but like a real, honest-to-goodness, I like you hug,” Cuban said. “And when you talk to players around them, they would say the same thing.” The Dallas Mavericks were looking for a long-term solution to pair with generational talent and franchise superstar Luka Doncic. Their previous point guard, Jalen Brunson, departed for the New York Knicks last offseason, leaving the Mavericks with more questions than answers. Mark Cuban hopes Kyrie Irving can be the answer and has staked $126 million on that hope.

Read more: Mark Cuban Points Blame For Jalen Brunson Departure

[Via] [Via]

The post Mark Cuban On Kyrie Irving After Contract Extension: “I Like Him” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Nuggets, Mavericks, And Lakers All Pursuing Bruce Brown

by

Bruce Brown had a career year during the 2022-23 season. He appeared in 80 games and broke double-digits in points per game for the first time since being drafted in 2018. Furthermore, he was a key piece off the bench for the Nuggets during the playoffs, as they cruised to the NBA title. Brown had 11.5 points per game, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during the regular season. The Nuggets represent the third team of Brown’s career. He was drafted by the Pistons, spent time in Brooklyn in the 2021-22 season before finding his way to Denver.

However, financial constraints in Denver meant that they were unable to pursue an extension with Brown before free agency, which begins on June 30. Meanwhile, Brown’s 2022-23 numbers have started to attract a number of big-name suitors once the signing period officially begins. As things stand, three teams are currently in the race for Brown.

Read More: Baby Gronk’s dad annoyed Rob Gronkowski so much he’s sending Baby Gronk a cease and desist

Bruce Brown’s Free Agency Suitors Revealed

Brown’s first suitor is a return to the Denver Nuggets. On the one hand, it’s the place where Brown has found the most success in his career so far. However, the Nuggets would be about to offer him $7.8 million, which is about $5 million less than his perceived market value. Meanwhile, the Lakers are “increasingly confident” that they would be able to acquire Brown’s services. However, the Lakers would either need to cut players or lowball Brown to acquire his services.

Read More: Despite wild rumors, Draymond Green is likely returning to the Golden State Warriors

That just leaves his newest suitor – Dallas. With Kyrie Irving’s future uncertain, the Mavericks have money to spend and a need for depth. Per Tim McMahon of ESPN, Brown is expected to meet with Dallas in the first days of free agency. While most Mavericks rumors are connecting them to bigs, Brown is definitely a cheaper option to better round out the roster. Where do you think Brown will land? Let us know in the comments. Furthermore, follow all the latest NBA news here at HotNewHipHop.

[via]

The post Nuggets, Mavericks, And Lakers All Pursuing Bruce Brown appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kyrie Irving Reportedly “Close” To Re-Signing With Dallas Mavericks

by

Kyrie Irving is expected to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks when free agency opens on June 30. First reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, Irving can sign for a maximum of 5 years and $272.9 million. Irving had previously expressed excitement at exploring free agency. However, the market for the controversial star was reportedly “non-existent.” Woj reiterated this belief in his reporting. He stated that spots for Irving to land beyond Dallas were “extremely limited, perhaps almost nil.”

Dallas traded for Irving mid-season, hoping to spark a powerhouse pairing between Irving and Luka Dončić. However, the Mavericks limped to the end of the season, earning themselves a tanking penalty for benching the stars in the final game of the season. While Irving did not openly reject a return to Dallas, it’s hard to imagine he’s happy about it being his only way forward.

Read More: Houston Rockets preparing to offer massive contract to Fred VanVleet in free agency

The Irving-Dončić Experiment Continues

Irving will likely return to the Mavericks on a long-term deal. This allows Dallas to focus on building themselves into a contender. In the draft, they picked up Duke center Dereck Lively II, while also dumping the contract of forward Davis Bertrans. Furthermore, in another trade, they picked up center Richaun Holmes and drafted power forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper in a deal with the Kings. At the time of writing, the Mavericks have eight players under contract. Furthermore, the Mavs are one of six teams reportedly enquiring about Toronto’s Pascal Siakam.

Read More: No trade interest for Zach LaVine; Bulls believed to be asking for too much in return

In short, re-signing Irving sets the Mavs up with two veteran leaders to mentor a younger squad. With this the team believes can be a contender in the next few years. Whether they contend next year remains to be seen. NBA Draft Room projects them as picking just outside the lottery, suggesting a first-round playoff loss. That would certainly be a step in the right direction. How do you feel about Kyrie returning to the Mavs? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest NBA news here at HotNewHipHop.

[via]

The post Kyrie Irving Reportedly “Close” To Re-Signing With Dallas Mavericks appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Dallas Mavericks Rookies On Playing With Luka Doncic

by

The Dallas Mavericks had a frustrating end to the 2022-23 season. A team that was filled with great talent failed to reach the postseason. Not just great talent, but two of the greatest offensive weapons in the game today. It felt like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving could never cook up the perfect recipe in late-game situations. The season was a failure, and now the future of Irving in Dallas seems to be unknown. However, now is the time to look ahead to a better future.

The Mavericks made two selections in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. With those selections, the team chose Duke’s Dereck Lively and Marquette’s Olivier-Maxence Prosper. The franchise is excited to bring in more young talent. But the hope is to surround them with veteran leadership like Irving and Doncic. On Monday, the Mavericks introduced their rookies to the local media. Both young men are excited about the opportunity. However, they’re also excited about one new teammate in particular.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Bidding War Reportedly Non-Existent

Dallas Mavericks Young Stars Ready For The Challenge

When asked about the opportunity to play alongside Luka, Prosper had this to say, “Luka’s one of the best players in the world. Just playing with a guy like that, it’s just amazing. You can learn so much from a guy like that. He’s an unselfish player. He’s a player that loves to pass — loves to create. I’m just excited to be able to play with a guy like that, learn from him, and just compliment him.” Both rookies seemed thrilled to be paired with such a high-caliber player like Doncic.

The offensive side of the ball was not an issue last season for the Mavericks. The team showcased their offensive weapons on a nightly basis. However, stopping the other team from scoring was the main concern. Now Lively and Prosper will need to bring a strong defensive game to the table to make a quick impact. Does the future look bright in Dallas? Let us know what you think about the Mavericks draft picks in our comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Reportedly Trying To Recruit LeBron James To Dallas

[Via]

The post Dallas Mavericks Rookies On Playing With Luka Doncic appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Kyrie Irving Bidding War Reportedly Non-Existent

by

Kyrie Irving is easily one of the best point guards in the entire NBA. However, there have been some issues with him in regard to how much he has actually played as of late. Overall, it feels like every single year is filled with some kind of drama concerning Kyrie. For a lot of people, this has become hard to watch. Moreover, for other NBA teams, it is simply unacceptable. In order to win titles, you need your players to be available, and Kyrie has not been able to accomplish that.

Having said all of this, Kyrie Irving is set to become a free agent this offseason. After an unsuccessful few months with the Dallas Mavericks, he will now get to choose where he goes next. So far, reports indicate that he is interested in returning to the Mavs. Furthermore, he has even tried to recruit LeBron James along with him. A team of Kyrie, Luka, and LeBron would be wild, although it probably wouldn’t work out so well.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Reportedly Trying To Recruit LeBron James To Dallas

Kyrie Irving Options

DALLAS, TX – APRIL 5: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at American Airlines Center on April 5, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 123-119 (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

According to reporter Marc Stein, some felt like a bidding war could take place for Kyrie. Unfortunately for the point guard, that has not been the case. Instead, very few teams are interested in the PG. The Dallas Mavericks seem to be the only team that wants him. This is obviously a good thing for the Mavs, who now have all sorts of leverage. Although, Kyrie and Luka were not a great duo, and that should absolutely give some people some pause, moving forward.

At this point, it is clear that this NBA offseason will be interesting to watch. With players like Kyrie looking for new contracts, we are bound to get a ton of great storylines. Let us know what you think of all this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.

[Via]

The post Kyrie Irving Bidding War Reportedly Non-Existent appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Wants Mavs to Trade for LeBron James to Form New Big 3 with Luka Doncic

by
Kyrie Irving Wants Mavs to Trade for LeBron James

Kyrie Irving has asked his former running mate LeBron James to join the Dallas Mavericks. According to Bleacher Report, Irving wants James to join the Mavs, petitioning for a trade that would form a big three with the two and Luka Doncic.

The news follows an exit from the Western Conference Finals, which Irving took in multiple games of courtside. There was also the trade deadline disgruntlement of James after the Lakers didn’t land the star point guard.

Sources close to the Mavericks state the team was preparing an offer for James last year before the Lakers turned their season around. Adding to the hurdles, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will carry the weight of a hard cap, making the three max slots hard to put together, which would require a major pay cut for James and Irving.

Heading into next season, James has $46.9 million on the books with a possible $50.6 million player option for the next season.

After losing to the Nuggets, LeBron James floated the idea of retirement.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Wants Mavs to Trade for LeBron James to Form New Big 3 with Luka Doncic appeared first on The Source.

Kyrie Irving Reportedly Trying To Recruit LeBron James To Dallas

by

Kyrie Irving has certainly had a bit of a hard time with the Dallas Mavericks. Although he and Luka Doncic should have been a dynamic duo, they were anything but. They clashed on the court and ended up missing the playoffs. However, it seems like Kyrie is interested in staying in Dallas. He has a free agency decision to make at the end of the month, and some rumors point to him staying in Texas. Overall, this would be a very interesting development, that would require more acquisitions.

Of course, Kyrie Irving was being tied to LeBron James all season long. Fans just assumed that Kyrie would go to the Los Angeles Lakers. After all, they could use a point guard, and LeBron loves him. Now, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, things could actually be going the other way. As he explains in the tweet below, Kyrie is trying to get LeBron to go to the Dallas Mavericks. Although, it doesn’t seem like we have an answer as to how LeBron reacted to that.

Read More: Pras To Sue 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving Over Informant Claims

Kyrie Irving Is Making Moves

One would assume that LeBron would rather just finish out his contract in Los Angeles. His son Bronny will be suiting up for USC this year, and he will want to see those games. If he were in Dallas, that would become a lot more difficult. However, you can’t help but imagine what a Luka x LeBron x Kyrie roster might look like. It would certainly be a lot of fun and would be absolutely box office, every single night.

Hopefully, we get some more information on this news soon. This year’s NBA offseason is shaping up to be incredibly interesting. There is so much to watch out for, and this recent development could throw a wrench in the plans of a whole lot of teams. Let us know what you think about LeBron potentially joining the Mavs, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.

Read More: Kyrie Irving Asks Fans To Stop Free Agency Speculation

The post Kyrie Irving Reportedly Trying To Recruit LeBron James To Dallas appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Luka Doncic Honors His Dogs With New Jordan Luka 1

by

Luka Doncic is one of the biggest superstars in all of basketball right now. Overall, some will say he is a top-three player in the league. However, that was not enough to get him into the NBA Playoffs. His partnership with Kyrie Irving fell short, and there is no doubt that fans were upset about it. That said, the young man still has a very bright future, with many calling him the next face of the NBA. Additionally, it helps that he has his very own signature shoe, the Jordan Luka 1.

The Jordan Luka 2 was recently shown off to sneakerheads, however, the Jordan Luka 1 remains a priority for the brand. Until the second signature shoe hits the market, the Luka 1 will continue to get new colorways. This is great news for consumers, as the Jordan Luka 1 has proven itself to be one of the best signature shoes of the entire year. In fact, we have just gotten the official images for a new Luka 1 colorway. As it turns out, Luka Doncic is using this sneaker to honor his dogs.

Luka Doncic & The Jordan Luka 1

Luka Doncic
Image via Nike

Luka Doncic has three dogs named Viki, Hugo, and Gia. As you can see in the image above, their paw prints can be found on the insole. However, when it comes to the overall look of the shoe, it is very clean. Firstly, we begin with a mostly white upper. Secondly, the shoe has some pink on the sides thanks to the midsole. This also appears on the heel tab. Lastly, the shoe has a black Luka Doncic logo on the tongue. Overall, this brings the entire look of the sneaker together.

For now, there is no release date associated with the shoe. However, it is expected to come out soon for $110 USD. If you need something clean for the summer, these are a must-have. Especially if you love dogs. Let us know what you think of this colorway, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world.

More Photos

Jordan Luka 1 – Image via Nike
Luka Doncic
Image via Nike
Image via Nike

[Via]

Dirk Nowitzki Reflects On Being Embarrassed To Win MVP Award

by

Dirk Nowitzki recently sat down with Rachel Nichols to discuss his time in the league. The Dallas Mavericks legend accomplished everything a player can possibly do in the league. Even earning the right to call himself league MVP. However, at the time, Nowitzki would have rather been anywhere else on earth than receiving that award. Because just two weeks earlier, the Mavericks were on the losing end of the biggest NBA Playoffs series upset in the league’s history.

2007 marked the first and only time that an eight seed has taken down a one seed in the NBA Playoffs. Before they were the Golden State Franchise you know today, the Warriors were once mighty underdogs. The Warriors seemed to have everything going against them back in 07. Including having to play a future MVP winner. However, that didn’t stop the underdog from pulling off the impossible. The Warriors stunned the Mavericks in six games sending the one-seed home early. A series that still seems to be on the mind of Nowitzki.

Dirk Nowitzki Was Hurt Over Playoffs Loss

In his appearance on Headliners, Nowitzki opened up on his MVP award victory. However, it wasn’t the answer that anyone had in mind. Nowitzki claims he was so embarrassed by the playoff loss that he told the league he didn’t want the award. But Nowitzki ended up accepting the prestigious award, even if he was lost in the moment. Looking back, Nowitzki realizes how special the honor is to be called NBA MVP. However, at the time, the award just didn’t feel special to a player who had just suffered the worst loss in his career.

But things ended up working out for the Mavericks star. The Mavericks won the 2011 NBA championship as massive underdogs. No one expected Dallas to defeat the loaded Miami Heat. However, Nowitzki finally got the elusive ring he had long been chasing. Now Dirk Nowitzki is considered one of the greatest to ever play in his generation. But the memory of those Baron Davis led Warriors may still give the legend nightmares. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

[Via]