Kyrie Irving will reportedly decline his $42.9 million player option for the 2025-26 season with the Dallas Mavericks. Instead, he plans to sign a three-year, $119 million contract extension with the team, according to ESPN`s Shams Charania. The new agreement is said to include a player option for the 2027-28 season.
The official agreement cannot be finalized until July 6. Given that Irving is expected to miss a considerable portion of the 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn ACL, seeking long-term security through this new contract is a logical move for him.
For the Mavericks, this agreement provides crucial benefits. It allows them to slightly lower Irving`s yearly salary, which helps manage their salary cap. Crucially, it retains Irving as they build a team hoping to contend, centering around Irving, Anthony Davis (reportedly acquired in a controversial trade), and Cooper Flagg, who the team is expected to draft first overall.
The 33-year-old Irving averaged 24.7 points per game for Dallas last season, his third with the team since being traded from the Nets during the 2022-23 season. His season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn ACL on March 3 against the Sacramento Kings. This setback occurred shortly after Anthony Davis, reportedly acquired in a controversial trade involving Luka Dončić, sustained an adductor strain in his first game for Dallas. In the seven games after Davis`s injury but before his own, Irving stepped up significantly, averaging 30.7 points to keep the team competitive, making his subsequent injury particularly disappointing.
Dallas Solidifies Roster Core Ahead of Cooper Flagg`s Expected Arrival
By securing Irving through at least the 2027-28 season, the Mavericks have extended and aligned the contracts of key players. Anthony Davis also holds a player option for 2027-28. Caleb Martin and Max Christie, another player reportedly acquired in the trade involving Dončić, are also mentioned as part of this core group with similar contract structures.
Irving`s extension follows closely on the heels of Daniel Gafford`s agreement to a three-year, $54 million deal, keeping him with Dallas through the 2028-29 season.
Klay Thompson is also under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season. Additionally, the Mavericks have team options for Dereck Lively II over the next two seasons. Given Lively`s strong performance as the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, these options are widely expected to be exercised, securing the promising young center.
Once Cooper Flagg officially joins the team, he is projected by Spotrac to sign a four-year contract worth $62.7 million.
This series of moves establishes a potential timeline for the team`s contention window. A combination of Flagg and Davis could potentially keep the Mavericks reasonably competitive during the 2025-26 season while Irving rehabilitates. However, their primary window for championship contention appears to open in the 2026-27 season. By then, Irving will be fully recovered, Flagg will be in his second year, and the 33-year-old Davis will likely still be performing at a high level, supported by a strong frontcourt rotation including Lively and Gafford.
Klay Thompson and Max Christie are expected to contribute as wing players providing shooting. Caleb Martin and Naji Marshall, who had a solid first season in Dallas, could also play significant roles. Although point guard depth is a potential concern, especially while Irving is recovering, the long-term strategy of building around Flagg, Davis, and Irving holds the promise of significant future success for the Mavericks.
Jasper Hawthorne