With the offseason around the corner, the Dallas Mavericks have made it clear to Cricket Exchange that they are eager to finalize a contract extension with Kyrie Irving. After all, they paid a hefty price to acquire the All-Star guard before the trade deadline, and letting him hit the open market would put the franchise in a highly reactive position. Still, Irving’s camp has now submitted a list of conditions for his next deal—terms that have reportedly left the Mavericks front office fuming.

According to the latest details, Irving’s proposed contract includes three major stipulations. First, the deal must exclude all performance-based incentives. Second, he wants a full no-trade clause. Third, he expects to receive leadership status equal to that of Luka Dončić. These bold demands, Cricket Exchange reports, have not sat well with team executives. While Dallas is open to offering a max-level contract, they insist on including a games-played clause to manage risks tied to Irving’s availability. At this stage, negotiations between the two parties have grown tense and unproductive.

Irving’s camp has even floated the idea of returning to the Brooklyn Nets, on the condition that the team agrees to his financial and contractual requests. However, the Nets’ owner has responded cautiously, stating that any decisions will depend on how the rest of the offseason plays out. Meanwhile, the broader market for Irving remains tepid. Though the Los Angeles Lakers have expressed interest, front office hesitation persists due to concerns about his off-court unpredictability and locker room impact.

If Irving tests free agency and finds no team willing to meet his demands, Cricket Exchange insiders believe he could face a difficult reckoning. Turning down a secure extension from Dallas may come back to haunt him. His individual talent is undeniable—his skill set is still worthy of a max contract—but his history of controversy has undeniably worn thin on team decision-makers.

In the end, Irving may discover that the market isn’t as eager as he expects. And if that moment comes, the opportunity with the Mavericks may no longer be there. Sometimes, pride leads us to aim for the stars, but practicality is what keeps us grounded in the game.