Kyrie Irving: we already named a city after him!

[F Gump]

But both Stein and MacMahon are saying otherwise. And they have no reason to not say the Mavs desire to be committed to Kyrie long term. It is very concerning that they are tapping the brakes on Kyrie being in DAL past this summer.

Saying otherwise? Are you sure? That is NOT what was said in the quote you provided -- it was only in your own words, not theirs.

Stein didn't quote the Mavs. He gave his comment (not even an opinion), not theirs, in that quote.

If the Mavs are saying anything, I would expect them to be tamping down any talk that they have a deal already lined up in advance, and nothing more. That doesn't reveal what they truly think is ahead. And logically, no matter how much they downplay it, I can't envision them paying this kind of a price for something they felt might have a strong chance to be short-term.