When asked by Logan Murdock of The Ringer about what went wrong with the Brooklyn Nets, he said that it would be up to James Harden and Kyrie Irving to explain it. Durant signed an extension in the 2021 offseason and expected Harden and Irving to follow suit before the start of the 22-22 season. Both players eventually asked for trades from the Nets.

“You got to ask them, to be honest,” Durant said. “My job is to play, and I think I did that. Rehab, a lot of stuff was out of my control that I didn’t ... I can’t speak on, to be honest, but I just thought we didn’t play enough minutes together. That’s all.”

Durant was also asked about where his relationship with Irving stands now.

“That’s something I’m going to keep internal. I don’t want to expose our relationship,” Durant said. “I think that’s deeper than basketball, but I wouldn’t say it was a problem. I didn’t think it was a problem.”

The Dallas Mavericks are in advanced talks to hire Dennis Lindsey as a special assistant to Nico Harrison. The Mavericks considered hiring Lindsey in the summer of 2021 to replace Donnie Nelson before hiring Harrison.

The Mavericks have been looking for an experienced sounding-board voice since last offseason.

Harrison’s most recent two hires came from the Brooklyn Nets: Senior director of pro personnel Matt Riccardi and senior director of salary cap and strategy Andrew Baker.

The Dallas Mavericks were originally planning to tank back in March, according to Kevin O'Connor of Fan Duel TV.

The decision was met with pushback from Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who both refused to sit out games.

"In late March, Dallas coaches met with players to discuss a plan for Markieff Morris and Javale McGee to play heavier minutes.

"That is when the tanking was supposed to begin, but Luka and Kyrie were agitated that the team was waving the white flag and both refused to sit," according to O'Connor.

The Mavs were fined $750,000 by the NBA on Friday for tanking actions and comments pertaining to their April 7 game against the Bulls. 

The NBA announced the Dallas Mavericks organization has been fined $750,000 for conduct detrimental to the league in an elimination game against the Chicago Bulls on April 7.

The Mavericks violated the league’s player resting policy and demonstrated through actions and public statements the organization’s desire to lose the game in order to improve the chances of keeping its first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.  The league did not find that the players who participated in the game were not playing to win. 

“The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to restrict key players from fully participating in an elimination game last Friday against Chicago undermined the integrity of our sport,” said Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. “The Mavericks’ actions failed our fans and our league.”

Dallas owes a top-10 protected pick to the New York Knicks as part of the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis deal.

The Dallas Mavericks are optimistic of their chances of re-signing Kyrie Irving this offseason in free agency.

"I think the things that he said along the way about how he feels here, how he feels appreciated, how he feels accepted and allowed to be himself -- those are the things that he said kind of consistently," Nico Harrison said Tuesday, a day after meeting with Irving. "That's what gives me the optimism that he wants to be here."

Irving is eligible to sign for as much as $272 million over five years with the Mavericks, who possess his Bird rights as he enters free agency, or approximately $202 million for four years with another franchise.

The Mavericks acquired Irving to give Luka Doncic another star offensive player.

"I think Luka and Kai work together," said Harrison.

"I think when we have that talented of a player -- that talented of two players -- I think they work together. I really think it's the players around them ... kind of knowing their role with having those two guys out on the floor at the same time. I think that's the thing that we need to work on."

Tim Cato of The Athletic confirmed a report from ESPN's Tim MacMahon that there are fears within the Dallas Mavericks that Luka Doncic could request a trade as early as 2024.

"Team sources, in recent weeks, have expressed similar concerns to The Athletic about the impact this season’s collapse could have on Doncic’s future in Dallas and willingness to be patient," wrote Cato. "They have reiterated those same fears of complacency all season, and especially now."

Doncic attempted to deflect MacMahon's report during his media availability on Sunday by indicating it didn't come from him.

“It was funny, you know, because I didn’t know that was true. I didn’t say it,” said Doncic.

MacMahon clarified his reporting by saying that it was fears from within the Mavericks and not Doncic's camp.

Sources told Cato in 2021 that they were motivated to speak openly about the frustrations of Doncic because of the "urgency" around the coming seasons. The Mavericks went on to reach the Western Conference Finals that season, but didn't even qualify for the Play-In in 2023.

The Dallas Mavericks consulted with the NBA league office last week before they announced a number of players would be unavailable for Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls, sources tell Marc Stein of Substack.

The Mavericks remained mathematically alive for a Play-In spot when they decided to sit a number of players in the game against the Bulls, which was reportedly a clear indication that they decided to "prioritize lottery position." The Mavericks keep their pick this year if it is in the top-10, but if it is 11 or lower it is conveyed to the New York Knicks.

The Utah Jazz were similarly still in contention for a Play-In spot as of last Thursday, but sat a number of key players and lost at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The NBA, however, announced they are investigating the Mavericks for how they shut down players for game 81.

Kyrie Irving declined to participate in exit interviews with the media after Sunday's game with the Dallas Mavericks eliminated from the postseason. When the Mavericks first traded for Irving, he said he wouldn't talk about his free agency until after the season concluded.

The Mavericks may need to offer a four-year if not five-year max contract in order to re-sign Irving.

Luka Doncic hopes the Mavericks re-sign Irving.

"I think it's a great fit," Doncic said. "Obviously people are going to say no [and] look at the results we are having, but like I said, chemistry and relationships takes time. I wish he can still be here."

If the Dallas Mavericks retain their draft pick on lottery night, sources tell Marc Stein of Substack they will explore trading it.

The Mavericks will only keep their pick if it is in the top-10, otherwise it will be conveyed to the New York Knicks as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade. If the Mavericks keep the pick, they can also trade the 2027 selection.

After missing the play-in altogether one season after reaching the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks are firmly in win-now mode ahead of their own fears of a Luka Doncic trade request as early as 2024.

The Mavericks will also navigate the free agency of Kyrie Irving this offseason, who they hope to keep.

The Dallas Mavericks will retain Nico Harrison as general manager. When giving Jason Kidd a vote of confident last week, Harrison opened up the possibility of his own job being under scrutiny given the Mavericks' disappointing season.

"If we don't make the playoffs, we all have to be evaluated," Harrison said. "I have to be evaluated by my boss."

Sources tell Marc Stein of Substack that Cuban is "a Harrison fan and pleased with his work and presence as he continues to make the transition from Nike executive to an NBA front office."

The Mavericks hired Harrison from Nike during the 2021 offseason.