Kyrie Irving is heading into unrestricted free agency, and the oddsmakers believe it will be a two-way competition for his services.
Despite a poor showing after his trade to the Dallas Mavericks in the middle of last year, Irving is the odds-on favorite to re-sign and again pair up with Luka Doncic.
The Mavs went just 5-11 after the Irving acquisition but may be able to better mesh with an offseason of preparation.
Irving’s return to the Mavericks is listed at -105 at DraftKings.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the other viable destination, according to the sportsbook, with odds listed at +240. Irving is close with former teammate LeBron James and would like to play with him again, though he would reportedly need to take a paycut to end up in Los Angeles.
There are three teams tied for the third-best odds to add Irving, per DraftKings on June 6:
- Dallas Mavericks -105
- Los Angeles Lakers +240
- Phoenix Suns +1000
- Los Angeles Clippers +1000
- Miami Heat +1000
The Suns linger as a potential darkhorse. Kevin Durant, Irving’s former teammate in Brooklyn, is now in Phoenix. The Suns have Chris Paul as their point guard but could make a push for Irving if they consider him a notable upgrade.
Phoenix was short on scoring depth beyond Durant and Devin Booker in the playoffs, and while Irving would definitely add to that, it’s hard to know how the trio would mesh.
The Clippers and Heat are also fringe candidates, though the fits do not seem perfect for Irving or the teams.
Irving is one of the most talented individual players in the NBA, but he’s been a lightning rod of controversy during his career and hasn’t found a lot of team success recently.
There is always a possibility of Irving going rogue and landing with another team not on the expected list of potential suitors.
Here is a look at the longshot next team odds for Kyrie Irving:
- Minnesota Timberwolves +2500
- Chicago Bulls +2500
- Utah Jazz +3000
- Philadelphia 76ers +3000
- Oklahoma City Thunder +3000
- New Orleans Pelicans +4000
- Cleveland Cavaliers +4000
- Washington Wizards +5000
- Toronto Raptors +5000
- Portland Trail Blazers +5000
- Orlando Magic +5000
- Milwaukee Bucks +5000
- New York Knicks +5000
- Memphis Grizzlies +5000
- Houston Rockets +5000
- Denver Nuggets +5000
- Sacramento Kings +7500
- San Antonio Spurs +7500
- Indiana Pacers +7500
- Detroit Pistons +7500
- Golden State Warriors +7500
- Boston Celtics +7500
- Brooklyn Nets +7500
- Charlotte Hornets +7500
- Atlanta Hawks +7500
