Maybe Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving can work out a deal with some fans. Buy some votes with a Twitter plea? Because right now Irving is fourth among Eastern Conference guards in fan voting for the NBA All-Star Game. That’s pretty good for a worldwide popularity contest, but Irving really needs to come in first or second. (Those spots are currently held by John Wall and Dwyane Wade.) Here’s why.
Irving’s contract includes a trigger that will earn him more money if he is twice voted as a starter in the All-Star Game. Irving started last year. If he starts again this year, he’ll make almost $9 million more over the course of his current contract, which runs through 2020. That’s a lot of loot for something fans with no proven basketball acumen get to decide, but that’s how it is. No need to worry about Irving though: if he misses out–as it appears likely he will–he’ll still earn more than $89 million. Just not the $98 million the Cavs would pay a two-time All-Star. Wow.
