Kyrie Irving Inks $119M Deal with Mavericks, Aligns with Davis/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract extension, set to begin July 6, joining fellow star Anthony Davis in contract alignment. The All-Star guard, recovering from a torn ACL, is expected to return mid-season (December/January), by which time the Mavericks hope to field a starting lineup featuring Irving, rookie Cooper Flagg, and center Dereck Lively II. The deal, announced ahead of the NBA draft, follows Irving’s tumultuous exit from Brooklyn and pairs him with Davis—who arrived mid‑season after the historic Luka Doncic trade—as he continues to rebuild his career in Dallas.
Quick Read (Key Highlights):
Kyrie Irving + Quick Looks
- Irving agrees to 3-year, $119M deal with Dallas Mavericks.
- Contract aligns with Anthony Davis, both ending in 2027–28.
- Recovering from torn ACL, return expected by mid-2025–26 season.
- Cooper Flagg likely joins team as top draft pick.
- Marks second major Dallas contract for Irving post-Brooklyn exit.
Kyrie Irving Inks $119M Deal with Mavericks, Aligns with Davis
Deep Look
Contract Structure & Timing
- Irving is declining his $43 million player option in 2027–28 to accept a new three-year deal worth $119 million, aligning his contract timeline with Anthony Davis—who also has a player option in 2027–28.
- The deal goes into effect at the start of the new NBA league year on July 6.
Boomerang from ACL Injury
- The nine-time All-Star is currently recuperating from a torn ACL and is expected to return mid-season, likely December or January.
- Once healthy, he’s projected to form a formidable lineup with cohort of Duke alumni: rookies Cooper Flagg (expected to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft) and Dereck Lively II.
Roster Strategy & Team Dynamics
- The Mavericks acquired Davis in February as part of a seismic trade sending Luka Doncic to the Lakers. The strategy pivots on a twin-elite-star core of Irving and Davis.
- The roster gamble: blend veteran star power with youthful talent via Flagg and Lively. With Irving’s pedigree—23.7 ppg and 5.6 apg average over 14 seasons—and Davis’s championship experience, Dallas is reinforcing its identity as a competitive postseason team.
Irving’s Journey & Redemption Arc
- Irving’s tenure in Brooklyn was marred by controversy: suspension for anti-Semitic comments, a fallout with Nike, and COVID‑related unvaccinated absences.
- Since arriving in Dallas in 2023, he’s enjoyed a drama-free environment, re-stabilizing his career and earning the trust of the franchise enough to secure a second sizeable contract extension.
Contract Comparisons
- His new deal places him firmly in the upper tier of NBA guards—though not at the top tier as the league’s highest-paid, it reflects the Mavericks’ belief in his on-court value and leadership role.
- Pairing contract timelines with Davis allows Dallas to manage future roster cap space more effectively and signals a long-term investment in this core.
Looking Ahead
- With Irving’s return mid-season and Flagg likely debuting, the Mavericks could boast one of the NBA’s youngest yet deepest lineups in terms of talent and versatility.
- The experience and offensive firepower Irving and Davis bring could prove pivotal in pushing Dallas beyond their last Finals appearance (2023) to challenge elite Western Conference teams.
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