MAVS NEWS:

[DanSchwartzgan]

Does the Kyrie contract have a best window of time between now and FA? Before or after the draft? It seems like any trade idea from the FO regarding draft night would need a settled Kyrie contract. Am I reading that right?

The Kyrie PO has a deadline of 6/24, but nothing says the parties can't agree to extend.  I think Dallas would love to lower his 25/26 cost of $42.9mm and his apron cost of $44.9mm.  But, Kyrie has to buy what they are selling in order to opt out.  

I suspect Dallas would love to know where they stand relative to the second apron next season ASAP.  Whether Kyrie is at nearly $45mm or closer to $38mm (as some have estimated) has a huge impact on that number.  But, it isn't absolutely critical that a decision be made before the draft.  Dallas probably can't execute a deal in the 24/25 NBA year because of the hard cap.  So, nothing says they can't push the PO deadline.  It just depends on whether they have an opportunity that needs to be agreed to earlier rather than later, and whether that opportunity lowers our apron number enough to be done independent of Kyrie's decision.