Mavericks' Kyrie Irving dilemma quietly dictates Harden's fate with Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks have begun outlining their offseason plans. One of their priorities has been finding a backup point guard. It's clear Dallas needs someone to run the offense, as Kyrie Irving is expected to be out until the second half of the season as he recovers from the ACL tear he suffered in March.

Some options to consider include Chris Paul and Lonzo Ball. Paul would be a great candidate to lead the show. He is a top NBA veteran with the perfect resume, as he played all 82 games last season. The Mavs desperately need players who can stay healthy, especially after the injury disaster from last season. Paul could also help guide Cooper Flagg throughout his rookie year.

Ball, on the other hand, is another option to consider. He has a great pick-and-roll game and a great IQ. Ball could be a great spark to help open up the Mavs' offense. However, the one downside is his brutal injury history. He missed the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons with knee problems, and this is something Dallas can't ignore.

Dallas has also expressed interest in other guards like Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday. He would give Dallas tons of defense and leadership, but trading for his massive contract comes with a few glaring risks.

Irving's new deal with Mavs could determine Harden's future in LA

So, whatever Dallas decides, it's clear they have plenty of options to help hold things down until Irving returns. Plus, having multiple veteran point guards isn't a bad idea.

However, Dallas must re-sign Irving to a contract extension before signing other free agents (assuming he opts out of his player option). He must be the team's top priority, as he has proven to be worthy of a new contract, but signing him to a huge deal will be a risk since he is coming off an ACL tear and is already 33 years old. Last season, he had a stellar season, averaging 24.7 points per game while shooting 47.3 percent overall.

All signs point to Irving returning to Dallas. Jake Fischer reported that Dallas and Irving appear fully on board to pursue contract extension talks this summer. It's been clear for months that the Mavs want to keep Irving in Dallas, and this was even their mindset before Irving got injured.

Assuming Irving and the Mavs strike a deal, it seems Dallas won't have to break the bank. Irving could end up returning to the Mavs on a three-year, $120 million extension. This is good news, as it was expected that Irving might come back on a three-year, $176 million deal. So, technically, Dallas would be saving money and locking up Irving for the foreseeable future if his contract ends up not being as massive as expected, but that comes with the risk of him not returning to being as dominant as he once was.

This is good news for someone like James Harden, as he has a player option. Assuming Harden decides to opt out of his contract, it's expected he could be looking for an extension similar to Irving.

If you recall, Irving and Harden were teammates during their time with the Brooklyn Nets. They played together for three seasons. The teammates made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons but failed to advance far, as injuries and offseason drama took a toll. Now, it seems they may be connected again as they are two of the most high-profile free agents of the summer.

Fischer elaborated on the connection between Irving and Harden recently. He outlined how Irving's negotiations (subscription required) with Dallas could be something the Clippers keep an eye on.

"The two thirtysomething stars sit atop this summer’s anticipated list of free agent point guards, both hold contracts that contain a player option for next season, and they are simultaneously seeking longer-term arrangements with their respective teams," Fischer said.

He went on to explain that Irving's "new contract with the Mavericks could even serve as a barometer that helps establish the ballpark for what Harden ultimately banks from the Clippers in a new deal."

So, if Irving signs the three-year, $120 million deal, then this gives the Clippers a starting point. Remember, Harden is two years older than Irving, meaning this could also be his last big contract. The quicker Dallas signs Irving, the quicker Harden could get his money, too.

Now, all Dallas needs to do is lock up Irving long-term. This is what's best for the Mavs and Irving, even if it's in Harden's best interest. It's time for Nico Harrison to make amends with the Mavericks fan base and make Irving a Mav for life.