Kyrie Irving’s stunning Mavericks comeback: from ACL nightmare to bumper payday

Kyrie Irving is staying in Dallas—and getting a massive payday in the process. The veteran point guard has declined his $43 million player option for the 2025/26 season and is expected to sign a new three-year, $119 million contract with the Mavericks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 33-year-old, who is currently recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, is doubling down on his commitment to the franchise he joined in 2023.

Irving to stick by Mavs after Luka Doncic departure

Irving’s new deal signals his intent to keep chasing greatness in Dallas, even after the blockbuster departure of Luka Dončić. The Slovenian superstar, with whom Irving reached the 2024 NBA Finals before falling to the Boston Celtics, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a seismic move back in February. Now playing alongside LeBron James, Dončić is forging a new path in L.A.—but Irving remains in Texas, ready to remind the league just how special he still is.

And once he is back on the court, he is expected to have another special talent to play alongside, with Cooper Flagg set to be drafted first by the Mavs.

Irving’s lengthy list of career achievements

One of the most electrifying guards of his generation, Irving has built a résumé few can match: nine-time All-Star, All-Star MVP, Rookie of the Year, and multiple All-NBA selections. Most famously, he was the co-pilot of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic 2016 championship run, hitting one of the most iconic shots in NBA history—a dagger three over Steph Curry in Game 7—to seal the title alongside LeBron.

While his career has had its share of controversy and detours, Irving’s talent has never been in question. When he’s on the court, he’s pure basketball magic—a generational player who can still change games and redefine moments. With this new deal, the Mavericks are betting big that he’s got plenty more left in the tank.

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