DALLAS — Kyrie Irving is staying put in Dallas. The nine-time All-Star guard has officially declined his $43 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season and will instead sign a new three-year, $119 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks, according to multiple reports. The deal includes a player option for the 2027-28 season, giving Irving long-term security while maintaining future flexibility.
The agreement comes amid Irving’s recovery from a torn ACL suffered in March, with the Mavericks hopeful he’ll return to action by January. Despite the injury setback, both Irving and the Mavericks were aligned on a continued partnership, with the front office emphasizing Irving’s leadership and his growing on-court chemistry with All-NBA big man Anthony Davis and incoming No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
“Throughout the conversations surrounding his player option and a new extension, both sides made clear their commitment to each other,” reported The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The contract will pay Irving approximately $40 million annually, a significant figure but slightly below the max projections some league executives had anticipated before his ACL injury — with estimates ranging between $50 million and $60 million per year.
Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games for Dallas last season, helping lead the Mavericks to a deep playoff run before his injury derailed what had become a highly productive campaign.
In addition to securing Irving’s services, the structure of the new contract allows Dallas to unlock a $5.7 million midlevel exception to pursue backcourt depth in free agency while Irving rehabs.
With Irving, Davis, and Flagg expected to form the cornerstone of a reloaded Mavericks roster under head coach Jason Kidd and GM Nico Harrison, Dallas is clearly betting big on continuity, chemistry, and championship aspirations in 2025 and beyond.
