DALLAS — Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving addressed his free-agency outlook Wednesday for the first time since his mid-February request for no more questions about his future during the Mavericks’ season.
Irving would like that to continue.
During an Instagram Live stream from his account Wednesday, Irving called out members of the media and fans across the NBA for speculating about his looming free-agency decisions — debate that has increased in recent days since the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff exit.
In multiple instances, Irving emphasized he is “in no rush” to make a decision as the June 30 start to NBA free agency approaches, and he unleashed multiple expletives to underscore his frustration and disdain for external opinions.
“Stop mentioning me on Twitter,” Irving said. “All y’all fan bases, stop mentioning me right now. Please. It is still the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference finals. Or excuse me — Denver’s going to the Finals. We’re still waiting for Boston and Miami.
“Can you please leave me the f--- out of this? Please can I just be with my family in peace? Y’all got people at my dinner table discussing what my free agency plans are. Stop that. Y’all think it’s funny s---, but please stop that.”
The Instagram Live marked the first time Irving has talked publicly since after the Mavericks’ April 5 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Irving sat out the last two games of the regular season as part of the Mavericks’ intentional tank to boost their draft odds, and then he did not hold an exit interview April 9, when many of the team’s players including Luka Doncic answered final questions before the offseason.
That left no opportunity for Irving to share his thoughts and quiet rumors about his free agency, which he called “emotionally draining” and “unwanted distractions” during a Feb. 9 press conference where he asked reporters to limit questions about his future until after the season.
Rumors and debate about Irving’s options have ramped up this week after the Lakers — one of the top Irvnig suitors before the Mavericks’ trade-deadline deal with the Brooklyn Nets — lost in the Western Conference finals, in part, because of subpar point guard production.
Irving sat courtside for two Lakers playoff games this spring, including their Game 4 finale Monday against the Denver Nuggets.
Owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison have declared Irving’s return as the franchise’s No. 1 priority this offseason, conjuring shades of their failed confidence in re-signing Jalen Brunson last summer.
The Mavericks can offer Irving the biggest and longest contract of any team (five years, $272 million) when free agency opens, but Cuban and Harrison have sidestepped questions about whether they view Irving — with his history of personal controversy and unreliable availability — as worthy of a max deal.
“I’m just as excited as you all are, but you got to chill,” Irving said to fans on Instagram Live. “You got to chill. Come on. Like we can have some fun with it, but the love is already there. The message is already spread. … I appreciate all y’all for tuning in. But please, all y’all fan bases, like stop mentioning me, just for like the next month or two or three or whenever I make my decision. Please stop mentioning me, all right?”
NBA free-agency negotiations begin June 30, just over five weeks from Irving’s Instagram Live session. Most marquee free agents agree to deals within the first hours — or at least days — of the new league year, but Irving said all talk about his plans is premature.
“I am a free agent this summer, but I am in no rush to make a decision,” Irving said. “The TV personalities, the sports folk that try to mix sports with politics and lifestyle and s--- like that — when they speak on my name and they’re talking about potential teams that I’m going to — can y’all please, respectfully I’m asking, please stop paying attention to that?
”I am in no rush to make a decision. I know what’s ahead of me in terms of for the rest of my career.”
