Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving is declining his $43MM player option and intends to sign a three-year, $119MM contract with the team as a free agent in July, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports (Twitter link). The deal, which is nearly identical to the one he signed in 2023, will include a player option for the 2027/28 season.
The nine-time All-Star is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, which he injured in early March.
Irving was enjoying a typically strong season prior to the injury. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 50 starts. Most of the outings came with Luka Doncic alongside him in the backcourt, so his assist totals could spike when he returns as the team’s primary ball-handler.
The deadline for Irving to opt in was today and it wasn’t surprising that the option was declined for more long-term security. As far back as April, it was reported that Dallas preferred to re-sign the 33-year-old to a three-year deal.
Irving’s first-year salary on his new contract will be lower than the option he declined, reducing the Mavs’ team salary and moving them below the second tax apron. That will enable Dallas to use the $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception to pursue a lead guard in free agency to run the team while Irving recovers, according to Marc Stein (Twitter link).
The Mavericks are optimistic that Irving can return to action sometime in the middle of next season. The Mavericks were hopeful that the combination of Irving and Anthony Davis would produce a championship in the short run. The unexpected addition of Cooper Flagg via winning the lottery will make them even more dangerous in the coming years.
Irving was the No. 2 free agent on our top-50 rankings and becomes the first player on that list to reach a contract agreement with his current team.
$119 million for a player who a) didn’t show up throughout the 2024 playoffs, b) who was awful in the finals, c) now won’t play most of this season, d) who will be 34 6’1 injury prone guard reliant on speed and quickness post ACL injury.
Yeah, better pay Irving than pay the 26 year old 5 time first team all NBA who was the best player in the finals with two leg injuries and a busted ribs.
Makes perfect sense who should have been traded and who should have gotten paid!!!
@Johnny. Shut up
Someone obviously didnt watch Kyrie burn Edwards alive.
Was that after his tore up his ACL?
Johnny- have you watched mavs game over the last couple years? Kyrie has been the heart and soul of the mavs. Big numbers and great leader. If he hadn’t been hurt this would be a 3 year $165 mil deal. Dude is a stud. This deal will be a bargain, especially when you look at some of the other deals out there for $40mil +
lol
This is Kyrie IRVING you are referring to? Perhaps you should take the blinders off a min.
Not to mention going on an admitted-fascist’s podcasts. Kyrie stinks and the NBA should have blacklisted NBA Kanye West long ago for being the dumbest or second-dumbest (after Kanye) person to ever live.
Dumbass comments kyrie showed up in 24 playoffs .luka and him carried team
Does Kyrie also think math is flat?
I love Kylie but I must admit it is comical that the Mavs traded Luka because of injuries and diet but they give a 32 year old kyrie with a torn ACL 150 million.
Umm…It is $119, not $150.
You are correct. However my point still stands.
Your point just stands about a third less valid than it did …..
Still an overpay
Luka was due 350 mill lol. That’s why he’s gone ….
I wouldn’t have done it. He’s been behaving in Dallas. Dallas has to get a PG. Then they will be good by playoffs. Kyrie comes back then. Get AD and Cooper a real PG…..
“Most of the outings came with Luka Doncic alongside him in the backcourt, so his assist totals could spike when he returns as the team’s primary ball-handler.”
It’s worth noting that this DID NOT happen post-Doncic.
Not a Hall of Famer
Yeah whatever idiot
Hope he doesn’t get measles too. Might kill him.