Kyrie Irving answers questions around long-term deal with the Mavericks puts "unwarranted distractions" on him and team

Kyrie Irving’s future with the Dallas Mavericks isn’t etched in stone. The Mavericks traded for him with the risk that he could be a two-month rental if the team does not make the playoffs.

After tonight’s 124-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Irving was pressed about his plans to stay. Here’s Irving’s response to the question:

"I would love to — just out of respect of you guys and everybody else the rest of this season continuously asking me that, it just puts unwarranted distractions on us and our team.

"I've dealt with it before and it's very emotionally draining to ask questions, 'what's the long-term?' ... I will say that from the start, it's been nothing but a warm embrace, genuine love, and a familiarity of relationships I can lean into..."

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly wanted to see how the Kyrie Irving experiment would play out. They were supposedly looking at a two-year extension as their best offer if things turned out well between both parties.

Irving, too, hasn’t expressed what he wants to do after his contract runs out. He previously wanted a five-year max deal with the Brooklyn Nets, which his former team refused to give. The mercurial point guard may just want to have as many options as possible before committing to anything.

There are still rumors that he could reunite with LeBron James in LA. The Lakers were also reportedly mulling a two-year contract in somewhat the same $80 million vicinity the Mavericks were willing to offer.

Kyrie Irving could choose to spend that two-year contract with his Lakers superstar friend rather than with his new team.

After the Nets dealt Irving to Dallas, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also cautioned basketball fans that Irving’s partnership with Kevin Durant might not be over. KD was shipped to the Phoenix Suns days after Irving's trade.

As an unrestricted free agent after this season, the former Brooklyn Nets teammates could reunite in Phoenix.

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Kyrie Irving has been playing elite basketball with the Dallas Mavericks

Kyrie Irving’s first four games with the Dallas Mavericks might be an audition for team owner Mark Cuban to change his offer. The soon-to-be nine-time All-Star is showing Cuban what he could have for the long term since joining the Mavericks.

“Uncle Drew” is averaging 28.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals after leaving the Brooklyn Nets. Against the Timberwolves tonight, he exploded for 26 points in the fourth quarter alone, the most by any Mavericks player this season in the final period.

Dallas, though, was just 2-2 during that stretch and 0-2 when Kyrie Irving teamed up with MVP candidate Luka Doncic.

The Irving-Doncic partnership is obviously a work in progress. They played hot potato in the dying seconds against the Timberwolves as they were too unselfish. One of the two superstars could have easily forced a shot to cut the lead to one or tie it with a three.

The Dallas Mavericks also lost Dorian Finney-Smith, their best defensive player. Pairing Kyrie Irving with Luka Doncic will assure them of points in a variety of ways. They could also be a sieve on defense as their starting backcourt isn’t known to be elite on that end of the floor.

Dallas and Irving have at least two months to decide on their partnership. It has been off to a good start, but everyone knows “Uncle Drew’s” history.

The Mavericks will take their time before deciding on an extension despite giving up significant assets to acquire Kyrie Irving.