Draft pick: Kyrie for Mavs
The Dallas Mavericks and star guard Kyrie Irving have inked a massive $119 million, three-year contract extension. This deal comes despite Irving forgoing his $43 million player option for the 2025-26 season.
Irving's decision not to exercise his player option stems from his recovery from a torn ACL injury that might keep him off the court for the 2025-26 season. This blockbuster move happened, even as Irving continues to rehab from said injury.
This development echoes a similar situation with newly-acquired center Anthony Davis, who also has a player option in his contract for the 2027-28 season. Both Irving's and Davis' contracts now share this characteristic.
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The new deal has been restructured to mirror the one Anthony Davis received in February when he was traded to the Mavericks, effectively taking Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cooper Flagg, the highly-touted Duke star drafted as the anticipated No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, could potentially join the Mavericks' roster when Irving returns, which is expected, albeit tentatively, by December or January of next year.
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With the additions of Irving and Davis, the Mavericks now boast a new Big Three. However, the debut of this promising trio will have to wait until both stars are fully recovered from their injuries.
This contract extension comes after the controversial trade of Luka Doncic, putting immense pressure on the Mavericks to secure a top-tier guard to maintain their competitive edge. Signing Irving for a hefty sum was a strategic priority to prevent losing another star player and to keep the team's championship chances alive alongside Davis.
The new contract extension for Kyrie Irving, despite his potential absence for the 2025-26 season due to injury, mirrors the deal Anthony Davis received, echoing a similar situation for both players in the NBA. With the addition of Irving, the Dallas Mavericks have strategically secured a top-tier guard, continuing their competitive edge in basketball.
