5 Mavericks who are playing for their future in Dallas

1. Kyrie Irving

Irving has nothing to prove. The eight-time All-Star is one of the most talented players in the world. He started the All-Star game just this season, and the soon-to-be free agent has made it clear that he wants a max contract. Someone will offer it this summer, and the Mavericks will have to match it if they want to keep him in Dallas.

Kyrie's is less about playing for a job or a role on the team moving forward, and more about deciding if he wants to stay. If the Mavericks struggle down the stretch and miss the playoffs, other situations could become more attractive. Irving has talked about wanting to team up with LeBron James, and the noise of the Lakers' recruitment will grow louder.

First, the Mavs need Kyrie healthy and producing. Once he is back in action, he is going to put up numbers. Will those stats translate to victories? The Dallas Mavericks are better than they have played since the trade, but how much will determine the future of the franchise.

The Dallas Mavericks are in a state of flux. They need more time to build their roster around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The team should be deciding which pieces fit and where they must upgrade. First, they need a long-term commitment from Irving, but that carries risk too. Where do they go from here? Stay tuned to find out.