Kyrie Irving is set to sign a lucrative three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal comes after Irving decided to decline his $42.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
The extension includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, ensuring Irving stays with the Mavericks long-term, even though the new agreement can’t officially be signed until July 6.
With Irving expected to miss a large portion of the 2025-26 season due to a torn ACL, securing long-term financial security makes sense for the star player.
What This Means for the Mavericks
For the Dallas Mavericks, this extension allows them to slightly reduce Irving’s annual salary, helping them manage their salary cap situation while keeping the star player on board for their future aspirations.
The team has hopes of returning to championship contention with a core built around Irving, newly acquired Anthony Davis, and highly anticipated rookie Cooper Flagg, who they are expected to select with the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Irving, 33, had a strong season with Dallas last year, averaging 24.7 points per game. His performance helped keep the team afloat after he was traded from the Brooklyn Nets midway through the 2022-23 season.
Unfortunately, Irving’s promising season was cut short by a torn ACL injury in March, which came shortly after Anthony Davis also suffered an injury.
Despite these setbacks, the Mavericks received a boost when they won the lottery, giving them the opportunity to select Flagg first overall in the draft. This acquisition will provide them with a promising future.
The Mavericks’ Core Is Set for the Future
With Irving’s new contract, the Mavericks now have a clearer roadmap for their future. Davis, who was also acquired in the Luka Dončić trade, has a player option for 2027-28, and both Caleb Martin and Max Christie, key figures in the Dončić deal, also have options through 2027-28.
Adding Irving’s long-term commitment, the Mavericks have aligned their core players for at least the next few seasons.
The team also made another key move, signing Daniel Gafford to a three-year, $54 million contract extension that will keep him in Dallas through 2028-29. Furthermore, Klay Thompson is under contract through 2026-27, and the Mavericks hold a team option for Dereck Lively II, whom they selected in the 2024 draft.
Lively has shown promise as an athletic, mobile big man, and it’s expected that Dallas will exercise his options for the next two seasons.
The Timeline: Mavericks’ Future Outlook
The Mavericks are working with a clear timeline, one that revolves around their newly bolstered core. While the 2025-26 season might be a bit challenging, especially with Irving recovering from his ACL injury, the team remains hopeful with the addition of Davis and the upcoming arrival of Flagg.
The real window for success is projected to open in 2026-27, when Irving will be nearly two years removed from his injury, Flagg will be entering his second season, and Davis will be in the final stages of his prime.
The combination of Davis, Flagg, and Irving could create a formidable trio that, alongside strong supporting players like Gafford, Lively, and Thompson, has the potential to make Dallas a championship contender in the years to come.
Thompson and Christie are expected to contribute as wings providing shooting, while players like Martin and Naji Marshall could also play important roles. However, there are still questions around point guard depth, especially with Irving rehabbing. Nevertheless, as the team retools around Flagg, Davis, and Irving, the future looks bright for Dallas.
Kyrie Irving’s decision to sign a $119 million extension with the Dallas Mavericks helps solidify the team’s future plans. While Irving’s recovery from a torn ACL may affect the team’s immediate success, the Mavericks are building a strong core around him, Davis, and Flagg, giving them the foundation to compete for years to come.
With several key players under contract and exciting prospects like Flagg joining the fold, the Mavericks are positioning themselves for a potential championship run in the near future.
