Newly appointed Dallas Mavericks president Masai Ujiri don put im trust for Kyrie Irving to carry di franchise forward, as im brush aside trade enquiries from rival teams. Di nine-time All-Star return to di court for pre-season action against di Houston Rockets afta more dan 18 months away, as im drop 17 points and 3 assists to cool concerns about im fitness.
Plenti clubs, including di Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, don reportedly probe di Mavericks about Irving availability. Dallas move sharp-sharp to shut those approaches down.
Ujiri, weta take ova di presidency dis summer, talk for di Hoop Collective podcast say Irving still dey central to im plans. "We truly believe in Kyrie as a player. We dey convinced say e fit succeed inside our team," di executive tok, citing one comment by Kevin Durant. Ujiri add say Irving "sows chaos for opposing defences" and dey create space for im teammates.
Di guard dey also expected to help di development of di club young core, wey dem build around Cooper Flagg. Ujiri talk say e dey confident say di side fit grow collectively under coach Dusty May, and stress say Irving presence go "make things much easier for several players" for di roster.
