When Kyrie Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the 2023 trade deadline, Mark Cuban and his front team faced a lot of criticism. Kyrie was involved in a number of controversies previous to his trade to the Mavericks, raising worries about his dependability. After one and a half seasons, it appears to have been an excellent option. The Dallas Mavericks are on a seven-game winning streak. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic’s chemistry has clicked, and they appear to be the NBA’s most dangerous combination.

Mark Cuban recently appeared on ‘The Draymond Green Show’ and was questioned on his decision to trade for Kyrie Irving by the Golden State Warriors’ forward.

“No one disliked him when you spoke with others around him before to the transaction. Everyone loved him. When you spoke to current and former teammates, they all liked him. When you questioned what the problem was, they said, ‘Well, Media’.”

Cuban added that Nico Harrison knew Kyrie as a gentle and sensitive person who was frequently misunderstood in the media. The team’s minority owner decided that if it was the only issue, he could deal with the press.

There have never been any concerns about Irving’s basketball ability. It’s always been about the off-court drama involving him.

But none of this upset the billionaire.

He conveyed his affection for his player by adding, “Let me just tell you, I love Ky to death. The more I speak with him, the more I understand he has a golden heart. He is preoccupied with much too many subjects.”

Mark Cuban’s statements garnered appreciation from Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who posted the video on his Instagram story.

Mark Cuban was effusive in his praise and admiration for the player. He indicated his willingness to shield him from the press and declared that he would take bullets for him, just like the other Mavericks players. Irving appears to have finally reached a place where he can ignore the distractions and focus on his basketball game.

Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks season

Credits: USA Today Sports

The Dallas Mavericks had a terrible 2023 season, failing to qualify for the Western Conference Play-In, raising concerns about Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s coexistence. All of those questions have been answered with their performance in 2024. The Mavericks began the season cautiously, trying to find their chemistry, and they also added some significant players at the 2024 trade deadline. They’ve since established themselves as a formidable force.