Mavericks Secure Kyrie Irving with $119 Million Deal Amid Recovery
The Dallas Mavericks have finalized a three-year, $119 million contract with Kyrie Irving, who is currently on the mend from a torn ACL that will keep him sidelined until the 2025-26 season, according to a source familiar with the agreement.
Irving has opted out of a $43 million player option for the final year of his previous contract. This decision was confirmed by the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as the deal awaits official confirmation at the start of the new league year on July 6. Reports from various outlets, including ESPN, have corroborated the financial details of the agreement.
This new contract positions Irving alongside Anthony Davis, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year. Davis has three years left on his contract, which now aligns with Irving’s player option for the 2027-28 season.
The timing of this agreement coincides with the NBA draft, where the Mavericks are expected to select former Duke standout Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick after an unexpected lottery win, despite only having a 1.8% chance of securing it.
Both Irving and Flagg share a Duke University background, along with young center Dereck Lively II. Once Irving returns from his injury, anticipated around December or January, it is likely that he, Lively, and Flagg will form a formidable starting lineup.
At 33 years old, Irving joined the Mavericks in a trade last year following a challenging period in Brooklyn. The initial plan was to create a dynamic duo with Doncic, and within a year, they led Dallas to its first NBA Finals appearance in over a decade, although they fell to Boston in five games last June.
The recent decision to trade Doncic to the Lakers has elevated Irving's role within the team, while Davis's championship experience provides a strong foundation for their partnership. However, both players faced setbacks; Davis suffered a groin injury during his debut with Dallas, and shortly thereafter, Irving sustained his knee injury.
