Kyrie Irving will instead sign a new three-year contract worth $119 million to stay in Dallas. The deal, which includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, ensures Irving’s future with the franchise as it enters a new era built around a retooled roster.

Securing stability after a tumultuous season

Irving’s decision comes after a season marked by both individual brilliance and team upheaval. The 33-year-old averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, shooting an impressive 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.

His campaign was cut short in March by a torn ACL, but his leadership and production were vital as the Mavericks navigated the aftermath of trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February.

With Dončić gone and Anthony Davis now anchoring the frontcourt, Dallas made retaining Irving a top priority, especially with the anticipated arrival of Duke star Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The new contract provides Irving with long-term security as he continues his rehabilitation, with a targeted return as early as January 2026. For the Mavericks, the deal slightly lowers Irving’s annual salary, giving the team additional cap flexibility and the ability to use the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception to further bolster the roster.

The Mavericks’ championship ambitions

By locking in Irving, Dallas solidifies its new core, which will feature Irving, Davis, and the soon-to-be-drafted Flagg. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and head coach Jason Kidd have emphasized the importance of Irving’s leadership and experience as the team pivots toward a new competitive window.

Rival executives had speculated that Irving could command $50-60 million annually on the open market, but his season-ending injury made a long-term extension with Dallas a logical outcome for both sides.

Irving’s extension signals the Mavericks’ intent to remain relevant in the Western Conference and compete for a title, even as the roster undergoes significant changes. The deal also allows Dallas to avoid the optics of losing two All-NBA guards in the same year, maintaining stability and excitement as the franchise prepares for the debut of its new “Big Three.”

The Mavericks will look to build around Irving’s playmaking and scoring, Davis’s interior presence, and Flagg’s all-around potential, aiming to return to playoff contention after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. With Irving’s future secured, Dallas now turns its attention to free agency and the draft, hoping to assemble a roster capable of challenging the NBA’s elite.