Masai Ujiri sends clear message regarding Kyrie Irving's future with Mavericks

Masai Ujiri sends clear message regarding Kyrie Irving's future with Mavericks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After parting ways with head coach Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks appear ready to embrace a full rebuild around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. 

As a result, there has been some speculation that the Mavs could look to try to trade veteran guard Kyrie Irving in order to acquire additional assets to build a young team around Flagg. But, that isn't necessarily Dallas' plan. 

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri expressed a desire to hang onto Irving to see how he fits alongside Flagg. Sure, Irving is much older, but on paper their skill sets could be complementary. 

“Kevin Durant once told me that there’s only one Kyrie Irving walking around in the world,” Ujiri said. 

“I think we have to figure out a way, how Kyrie fits with our program. I’ve had those conversations with Kyrie, up till yesterday and I think Kyrie will fit. There’s a huge curiosity in our minds to see how Kyrie fits playing with Cooper Flagg … and I think we owe that to this organization.”

This story will be updated. 

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