Kyrie Irving Named to All-NBA Second Team; Officially Eligible for Super Max Offer

bobheckler wrote:https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2019/05/23/kyrie-irving-named-to-all-nba-second-team-officially-eligible-for-super-max-offer/



Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving Named to All-NBA Second Team; Officially Eligible for Super Max Offer




by Don Porcaro Jr 1 day ago




Today, Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was named to the All-NBA Second team, officially making him eligible for a Super-Max contract offer from the team. James Harden and Steph Curry took home first-team honors for guards, while Damian Lillard shared second-team honors with Irving. Russell Westbrook and Kemba Walker shared third-team honors.


While it was widely expected, it was made official today that Boston Celtics superstar Kyrie Irving was named to an All-NBA team as he shares second-team guard honors with Damian Lillard. While this is a great achievement on the already impressive NBA resume for Irving, this season, the honor meant much more than just a recognition.

In the latest collective bargaining agreement, the NBA created “super-max” contracts. These contracts were meant to help small market teams stay competitive in the league by being able to offer their superstars more money than the rest of the league.

While the contracts have yet to fix the problem of small-market superstars wanting to leave for bigger markets, it does create an interesting situation for those eligible.

The reason why Irving’s second team selection was so important, was because it is one of the qualifications to be eligible for a “super-max” deal. In the NBA, a player must have at least one of three qualifications to be “super-max” eligible:

1.  Named to an All-NBA (first, second, or third) team in the previous season, or in two of the last three seasons.
2.  Named Defensive Player of the Year in the previous season, or two of the last three seasons.
3.  Named NBA MVP in one of the last three seasons.

Because Irving was neither MVP, nor DPOY, he would only be eligible with an All-NBA selection. This selection officially qualifies Irving for the “super-max” contract. The “super-max” also can only be offered to a player who has been in the league for seven years who is still currently with their original team (unless traded, like Irving).

Irving finished the regular season averaging 23.8 points, five rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. The guard also shot 48% from the field, 40% from three and 87% from the free throw line. Statistically, it was his most efficient year of his career.

While a return to Boston is not imminent, the “super-max” contract possibility does not hurt the Celtics. Irving has shown money is far from his first priority in the NBA, but for Boston, it certainly should be an advantage to be able to be the only team to offer Irving that kind of money.



bob




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