Kyrie Irving takes issue with compensation for NBA analysts: ‘Does Stephen A. Smith deserve more than Wemby?’

Stephen A. Smith previously commented extensively on Kyrie Irving's three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, stating that Irving was "low-balled" and deserved more money. Smith argued that Irving's performance and impact in Dallas before his injury justified a higher salary, potentially $43-45 million per year, especially given his importance to the team alongside Luka Dončić and his positive conduct while with the Mavericks.

In response, during a Friday night Twitch livestream, Kyrie Irving questioned the value of Stephen A. Smith's own recent five-year, $100 million contract extension with ESPN. Irving explicitly stated, "I’m gonna discuss his contract... And I’m going to say I don’t think you are worth it," directly critiquing Smith's deal after Smith had critiqued his.