Kyrie Irving will start next season on the sidelines wherever he plays. The point guard suffered a torn ACL in March, ending his season prematurely. However, the veteran is expected to be back in Dallas according to NBA insider Marc Stein despite having the option of hitting free agency.
Stein reports on DLLS Sports that Irving is expected to decline his $42.9 million player option for the 2025-26 but is expected to re-sign with Dallas on a new long-term deal.
“I don’t hear anyone forecasting scenarios where Kyrie Irving is no longer a Maverick,” [Stein said via Real GM](https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/280725/Kyrie-Irving-Expected-To-Re-Sign-With-Mavericks-). “I haven’t heard one scenario presented where he ends up with another team. But I also don’t have a handy projection for how this contract is going to turn out. During the season, the whispers that were going around was that the Mavs would like to do a three-year deal in the $40 (million) a year range. So, a three-year deal that was $120 (million) again,”
The Mavericks are very committed with Irving in the present after trading away Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis ahead of last year’s trade deadline. However, Irving’s injury situation casts some uncertainty with the situation, per Stein.
“The circumstances have changed in two major ways,’ Stein explained. ‘On one hand, Kyrie Irving is the only elite proven guard on this roster. And with Luca Doncic no longer here, his value to the Mavericks has theoretically skyrocketed, but on the flip side, of course, as everyone knows, in early March, he sustained an ACL tear... No one can still tell you when we’re going to see Kyrie Irving again. Is it January? Is it February?”
The trickle down effect with Irving’s new deal could impact what the Mavericks trade plans are. They are rumored to have interest in Jrue Holiday but their current finances may make acquiring Holiday a very challenging feat under the second apron unless Irving is willing to take a pay cut in his new deal.
The Mavericks have roughly $160 million committed to their roster including a cap hold for Cooper Flagg without including Kyrie Irving’s new deal. If Irving is willing to take a cut from his $43.9 million player option, the Mavericks would be in better shape to work the finances in a potential trade for Holiday or another backcourt option this offseason.
Irving has until June 24 to decide officially on his player option for next season.