Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Kyrie Irving Signs 3-Year, $119M Extension with Mavericks After Opting Out
Kyrie Irving will sign a 3-year, $119 million extension with the Dallas Mavericks after turning down his $42.9M option, securing a player option for the 2027-28 season
Kyrie Irving has decided to decline his $42.9 million player option for the 2025-26 NBA season and instead plans to finalize a three-year, $119 million contract extension with the Dallas Mavericks, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal, which features a player option for the 2027-28 campaign, cannot be officially signed until July 6.
Currently recovering from an ACL tear that is expected to sideline him for a major portion of the upcoming season, Irving’s decision to secure a long-term contract aligns with his need for stability during his rehabilitation. His new contract reflects Dallas’ belief in his value despite the injury.
This agreement lines Irving’s future in Dallas alongside Anthony Davis, who joined the Mavericks via a high-profile trade that saw Luka Dončić move to the Los Angeles Lakers. Davis’ contract also contains a player option for 2027-28, syncing with Irving’s timeline.
On the brink of the NBA Draft, Dallas holds the No. 1 overall pick, expected to be used on top prospect Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks secured the pick with just a 1.8% chance, setting the stage for a new chapter in the franchise’s evolution.
Kyrie Irving’s 2024-25 Stats
Prior to his season-ending injury in March, Irving played in 50 games and posted averages of:
- 24.7 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds
- 4.6 assists
- 1.3 steals
He shot 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.
The three-year deal is valued at $119 million, structured to begin below the $43 million he opted out of, which gives the team flexibility under the salary cap.
With Irving’s recovery expected to extend into the middle of the season, the Mavericks plan to utilize the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception to add a temporary guard. Their recent financial decisions have helped the team avoid surpassing the second tax apron, giving them more maneuverability.
Irving, now 33, is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in March. His extension follows a previously signed three-year deal in 2023, also with a final-year player option. Daniel Gafford recently agreed to a three-year, $54 million extension that runs through 2028-29, further solidifying Dallas’ long-term plans.
Anthony Davis, Caleb Martin, and Max Christie all have player options for 2027-28, while Klay Thompson is under contract until 2026-27. Meanwhile, the team is expected to retain Dereck Lively II by picking up his team options for the next two seasons, capitalizing on his strong performance as the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Flagg’s Rookie Deal
Cooper Flagg is projected to sign a four-year, $62.7 million rookie contract per Spotrac’s projections. With Flagg and Davis likely taking on central roles during the 2025-26 season while Irving recovers, the team expects to be competitive but understands its best shot comes the following year.
The 2026-27 season is projected to be Dallas’ prime contention window—Irving will be nearly two years post-injury, Flagg will be in his second season, and Davis will be in his early 30s, anchoring a powerful core that includes Gafford and Lively in the frontcourt.
Since joining Dallas, Irving has experienced a revitalization in his career. The Mavericks originally acquired him on an expiring contract. After re-signing in the 2023 offseason with a three-year agreement and a player option, he’s poised to repeat that structure with this new extension.
