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

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.

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Kyrie Irving Spotted At Iconic Rucker Park

It’s shaping up to be an interesting offseason for Kyrie Irving. After a mid-season trade to the Dallas Mavericks, it looks like Irving is not sticking around to continue the great experiment alongside Luka Dončić. While the 31-year-old was at the center of some controversy this season, sharing a link to an anti-Semitic conspiracy film on Twitter, it was thought he would be something of a hot commodity. As the season wound down, multiple teams were rumored to be considering pursuing Irving.

However, recent news suggests that may be far from true. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the free agent market for Irving is “non-existent”, with the Mavs the only team currently pursuing Irving. Irving does not appear eager to return to Dallas. On the other hand, he has not publicly ruled out another stint with the Mavericks. However, a recent public sighting of Irving could be an indication of the point guard’s future.

Irving Spotted In New York

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by 2Cool2Blog (@2cool2bl0g)

Shared to Instagram by 2Cool2Bl0g, footage shows Irving, surrounded by friends, family, and some NYPD officers, pushing a stroller through Rucker Park. Rucker Park is an NYC institution located in Harlem. Players like Kareem, Wilt, Metta Sandiford-Artest, and Dr. J all played on its courts prior to their NBA careers. In 2022, Rucker Park was one of the sites used for The Basketball Tournament.

However, the bigger question is whether this means anything for Irving’s plans. Obviously, Irving is coming off four years in New York and probably still has major links to the city. Despite this, is there a story here? Could the Nets or Knicks be interested in picking up the free-agent guard? Or this is simply a social visit to a place Irving called home for a number of years? After all, Irving attended high school in nearby New Jersey. It’s not a region of the country he has no links to. Regardless, let us know your theories in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Kyrie Irving Bidding War Reportedly Non-Existent

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.

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Kyrie Irving Reportedly Trying To Recruit LeBron James To Dallas

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

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Jalen Rose Breaks Down Lakers’ “Message” To D’Angelo Russell

D’Angelo Russell is one of the many questions that must be answered during the Lakers’ offseason. Russell, who is coming to the end of a four-year, $117,325,500 contract, is eligible to sign a two-year, $67.5 million extension before June 30. Russell averaged 17.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. However, he is just one of many questions for the Lakers. They have a number of pending free agents, as well as the possibility of LeBron’s retirement.

Another source of free agency speculation is Kyrie Irving. The 31-year-old is set to explore the market after speculation that the Mavericks would not be re-upping after a few months of the Kyrie-Luka experiment began to emerge. While the Lakers have publicly waved off interest in Kyrie, they remain a popular candidate to acquire his services. However, the offseason is still in its infancy. Despite this, former NBA star and current analyst Jalen Rose believe that the team sent both players a message about their intentions during the playoffs.

Jalen Rose Explains Russell Benching And Courtside Kyrie

“You can’t bring back DLo,” Rose said on NBA Today. ”I don’t care what number it is, what years it is because when you get benched in the close-out game while Kyrie Irving is sitting in front row, that’s a double message because how did he get his tickets? And so, based on that alone, at halftime of Game 3, everybody knew that D’Angelo Russell should be benched. He was like -53 on the floor, they were like +35 with him off the floor.” Russell averaged 6.3 points in 23.5 minutes of play against the Denver Nuggets.

He continued. “When they didn’t bench him, to me, that was them saying to him ‘you know what, we’re not going to do that to you right now because we hope to sign you this offseason. When they benched him in Game 4, that let me know that they’re not gonna try to sign him.” What do you think the Lakers will do with Russell and Kyrie? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Kyrie Irving Asks Fans To Stop Free Agency Speculation

It’s that time of the NBA season when trade rumors begin to swirl. There are just three teams left in the playoffs and 27 teams trying to figure out their offseason plans. Along with that, there is a wealth of pending free agents including James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Khris Middleton, and Kyrie Irving. NBA fans should strap in for what will be a blockbuster offseason.

Kyrie Irving is an intriguing prospect on the free agent market. Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks to play alongside Luka Dončić. However, the Mavericks opted to choose rebuilding over playoff contention. It’s unclear whether the Mavericks will pursue Irving but of course, his pending freedom has led to rampant speculation of where Kyrie could be heading.

Kyrie Irving Tries To Shut Down Speculation

Irving, however, does not appear to be a fan of all the rumors. “Stop mentioning me on Twitter. All you fanbases, stop mentioning me right now. It is still the Western Conference and Eastern Conference Finals. Excuse me, Denver already made it to the Finals and we’re still waiting on Boston or Miami but can y’all please leave me out of this? Please, can I just be with my family in peace? I got people at my dinner table discussing what my free agency plans are. Stop that, y’all think it’s funny but please stop that. I actually like having peace of mind when I’m at the crib. I see all your ats and mentions…and I’m just as excited as y’all are but y’all gotta chill though,” Irving said on Instagram Live.

There is a wide variety of rumors swirling about Kyrie, who is linked to so many teams. It’s unlikely that Kyrie will be interested in a rebuilding project, hence why he appears to be leaving Dallas. However, it appears that Kyrie would much rather enjoy the ride, as opposed to doomscrolling on Twitter. However, when actual news of Kyrie’s next move breaks, we’ll have it here on HotNewHipHop.

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Pras Is Suing 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving, And ‘Rolling Stone’ For Calling Him An FBI Informant

Fugees founder Pras Michel has filed a lawsuit for defamation against 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving, and Rolling Stone magazine for calling him an FBI informant and a “rat,” according to Rolling Stone. After Rolling Stone reported on Pras’ unusual testimony during the money laundering case against him saying that he approached the FBI after meeting with a Chinese minister in 2017, rumors of Pras being an “informant” spread rapidly online. 50 Cent, who is often quick to react or joke around about hip-hop news stories on social media, called Pras “a rat” on Instagram, while Irving also shared a post calling Pras a “federal informant” on Twitter.

In a letter sent to the Rolling Stone offices Wednesday, May 10, Pras’ attorneys notified the potential defendants of their intention to take them to court. Jonathan Noah Schwartz wrote (again, according to Rolling Stone), “It is and was absolutely and demonstrably false for you to publish that Michel was a ‘government informant.’ Labeling a hip-hop artist such as Michel, the reputation of whom is dependent upon ‘street credibility’ and not being a ‘snitch,’ a ‘government informant’ most certainly tends to subject said hip-hop artist to hatred, distrust, ridicule, contempt and/or disgrace, along with injury in their trade or profession.”

Pras was convicted of money laundering, illegal lobbying, witness tampering, and campaign finance violations in the April trial, all charges stemming from his association with Malaysian money man Jho Low, who is himself wanted for allegedly embezzling billions from his home nation’s sovereign wealth fund.

Pras To Sue 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving Over Informant Claims

As Pras stares down a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, he appears to be taking legal action against 50 Cent, Kyrie Irving, and Rolling Stone for labeling him a federal informant. According to the Los Angeles Times, Pras’ attorney sent legal notifications to the three parties for the defamation suit on claims that a Rolling Stone article called him an “FBI informant.” However, Pras also claims that 50 Cent and Kyrie Irving echoed these claims online, as well.

A jury found Pras guilty of 10 counts last month, earning a widespread reaction from the hip-hop community following testimony that he cooperated with authorities. Fif took to Instagram with a headline that deemed Pras an “FBI informant.” “I knew this fool was a rat! I’m glad I never fvck with this guy,” 50 Cent wrote. Shortly after, Irving tweeted, “A whole FBI Informant was in the Fugees for that long??” Meanwhile, Rolling Stone published an article where they said he is “an informal FBI informant,” which was later changed to claim that he “voluntarily met with FBI agents.”

Pras’ Attorney’s Letter To Rolling Stone

(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Jonathan Noah Schwartz, the representative for Pras’, said that these claims led to the loss of business deals, which ultimately impacted his ability to generate income. “Labeling a Hip Hop artist such as Michel, the reputation of whom is dependent upon ‘street credibility’ and not being a ‘snitch,’ a ‘government informant’ most certainly tends to subject said Hip Hop artist to hatred, distrust, ridicule, contempt and/or disgrace, along with injury in their trade or profession,” the letter reads.

In addition to Schwartz, David Kenner, Pras’ attorney, also plans to take legal action against Rolling Stone. Kenner’s attorney, Erica Dumas, said that the publication led to viral stories that “harmed the business interests, reputations of Pras and attorney Kenner,” Dumas told the Los Angeles Times. Dumas added that 50 Cent and Kyrie Irving put the lives of Pras and Kenner “at risk” because of their claims online. We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding the lawsuit. Share your thoughts in the comment section below. 

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Best Nike Kyrie 7 Colorways

When it comes to Kyrie Irving’s signature line with Nike, the Nike Kyrie 7 is one of the most popular. Unfortunately, the controversial split between Irving and Nike led to the brand canceling the release of the Kyrie 8. Though fans were disappointed in the split, the Nike Kyrie 7 was a great shoe to end the legacy. Also, fans received no shortage of variants to choose from. From the bright and colorful “Weatherman” to the art-inspired “Expressions,” the colorways of this sneaker kept fans hyped for their releases. Here are the seven best Nike Kyrie 7 colorways!

“Expressions”

Off the court, Kyrie Irving is a known art lover, keeping an extensive collection of artwork at his home. Irving’s love for art is said to be the main inspiration behind this vibrant colorway. The love and appreciation for art appear on the heel in the form of lateral panels and paint splatter graphics. A pink pastel sole blends with the shoe’s bright multicolored, brush-stroke-styled upper. The orange swooshes, lavender shoe strings, and coral-colored treading bring even more vibrant color to the shoe. The tan, canvas-inspired, tongue tops off the look of a sneaker that perfectly pays homage to your inner artist! 

“Weatherman”

These kicks are ready to dominate in any weather! Taking inspiration from another signature Nike sneaker line, the Nike Kyrie 7 “Weatherman” takes inspiration from the Nike KD4 “Weatherman.” This colorway sports an eye-catching vibrant Stadium Green upper with an all-black sole and Nike swoosh. The multicolor heat map graphic highlighting the heel, inner lining, and rubber outsole adds even more color to the sneaker. Just like the KD4 colorway it draws inspiration from, the “Weatherman” is one of the most popular variants of the Nike Kyrie 7. 

“Hendrix”

Also dubbed “Creator,” the “Hendrix” colorway evokes the psychedelic spirit of the legendary rockstar Jimi Hendrix. Kyrie’s All-Seeing Eye motifs cover the sneaker’s dark purple mesh upper. The warp pattern on the rear heel panels adds to the trippy effect of the colorway. The midnight green tongue and sole unit sporting black, grey, and red complete the look of the psychedelic sneaker. The vibrant tones of this nod to Hendrix make this colorway one of the hottest!

Sneaker Room x Nike Kyrie 7 ‘Mom’

This mismatched colorway was made to honor the late mothers of Kyrie Irving and Sneaker Room owner Suraj Kaufman. Taking inspiration from the elements of Mother Nature, one colorway represents Earth, while the contrast represents other elements. The green and yellow colorway represents earth and wind, while the blue and orange iteration represents fire and ice. Both colorways feature Sneaker Room and “Mom” branding on the lace tips. Each sneaker has a flower graphic on the hell, as well as “In honor of” on the heel panel. The details in this collaboration make it one of the most unique versions of the Nike Kyrie 7. 

“1 World 1 People”

This popular colorway follows a positive theme of peace. The “1 World 1 People” colorway has the same namesake message featured on the sneaker’s heel. Touches of aqua blue compliment the bright yellow-clad mesh upper. The TPU fins of the sneaker have the same touches of blue. The TPU fins also come in bright red as well. Tones of red and green are also present on the colorful set. The colorway’s bright tones are completed with an abstract multicolor print over the sneaker. 

“Visions”

This colorway draws inspiration from Irving’s hobbies off the court. On the heel of the sneaker is “sports,” “music,” “film,” and “art,” listing off the favorite interests of the athlete. The white, lace-like mesh upper compliments the rest of the multicolored sneaker. The lime green midsole brings a serious pop of color. The red and blue TPU fins match the red and blue Nike Swooshes and Irving’s blue trademark logo on the tongue. A cool nod to the baller’s other passions, this multicolored variant of the Nike Kyrie 7 was a hot choice among sneakerheads!  

“Final Rings”

Even though Kyrie Irving didn’t get a ring in 2021, the Nike Kyrie 7’s “Final Rings” colorway is fit for a championship occasion. The metallic gold, black, and grey combination looks phenomenal against the mesh white silhouette. The championship ring-inspired colorway sports other incredible details as well. The graphics in the mesh upper gives the white base a royal tone. Behind the sneaker’s heel lies the unique symbol, Irving’s “ All Seeing Eye” logo, placed on a championship ring. The champion-level designs provide a strong statement for the shoe’s sleek and exciting silhouette. The cool look of the Nike Kyrie 7 “Final Rings” makes this colorway a must-cop for sneaker fans. 

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Mavericks GM Reveals Teams Chances Of Re-Signing Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving will have a big decision to make this summer. The Dallas guard will be a free agent with plenty of suitors lined up to speak with him. However, just what are the chances Irving will end up back in Dallas? According to team GM Nico Harrison, the Mavericks are optimistic about their chances. While that may not be a term to get fans excited. But it does feel like it means the Mavericks are still in the running for the star guards’ services.

The Mavericks were the tale of two halves when describing their season. After acquiring Irving in a trade, the team went into a freefall. But that isn’t for the lack of effort from Irving. The highly sought-after Irving appeared in just 20 games for the Mavericks. In that time, he averaged 27 points and six assists. Scoring was not an issue for Dallas this season. However, the defensive side of the ball left a lot to be desired. Irving’s teammate Luka Doncic spoke about the team’s defensive effort, including his own. But the defensive change conversation came when it was too little too late.

Kyrie Irving Isn’t In A Rush On Deciding Future

Irving has mentioned recently that he has no plans to sign a contract in the near future. The former Nike star is looking for a new shoe deal before deciding on his playing future. Irving was dropped from Nike after antisemite social media posts. There is yet to be a report on which shoe brands would be interested in bringing Irving aboard. But those conversations could be kept secret due to the nature of Irving’s last deal. So it seems the Mavericks will have to wait this one out.

The Mavericks will be the most interesting team to follow this summer. After the way this season finished, it’s hard to see a world where Luka and Kyrie Irving share the floor again. However, stranger things have happened in the NBA. Evidently, Mark Cuban believes it can work. The Mavericks owner has been very vocal about bringing Irving back into the mix. Do you believe the Mavericks will be able to keep both of their superstar guards? Drop your thoughts in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.

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