Kyrie Irving signs new $119M Mavericks deal after declining player option
Kyrie Irving is declining his player option for 2025-26 — but he's not leaving Dallas.
In fact, he's staying a few more years.
The Mavericks guard intends to sign a new three-year, $119 million contract that comes with a player option for the 2027-28 campaign, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday night.
Advertisement
Kyrie Irving defends in the second half during the Mavericks' road win over the Nets on Feb. 6, 2024.
Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The average annual value of the deal — a shade over $39 million — is less than the $43 million he was set to make this year, though the full details of the contract were not revealed.
The news comes on the eve of the 2025 NBA Draft, where the Mavericks are set to make the No. 1 pick and likely take top prospect Cooper Flagg out of Duke.
Advertisement
Irving likely will miss a good chunk of the 2025-26 season after he tore the ACL in his left knee in early March before undergoing surgery later that month.
ESPN reported that Irving could return as soon as January.
Irving, a nine-time All-Star, averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 50 games last season before the knee injury.
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the fourth quarter.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Advertisement
After dealing Luka Dončić in a stunner earlier this year, Dallas will now have Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson all under contract for at least the next two seasons.
That core is expected to get a major infusion in Flagg, who is believed to be a generational talent after a phenomenal freshman season.
'I wouldn't look at anything as pressure,' Flagg told reporters Tuesday. 'I think me going into whatever situation I go into, I'm just going to try to be myself all the time and I'm going push myself to be better and better every single day and make the most out of every day. I'm not worried about living up to certain players' expectations or things like that.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
28 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Kyrie Irving and Mavs agree on $119M, 3-year deal that aligns with Anthony Davis, AP source says
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks and Kyrie Irving have agreed on a $119 million, three-year contract with the All-Star guard still recovering from a torn ACL that will sideline him into the 2025-26 season, a person with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday night. Irving is declining the $43 million player option in the final year of his current three-year contract, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal isn't expected to be finalized until the start of the new league year on July 6. The new contract will align Irving with co-star Anthony Davis, who joined the Mavericks in the seismic trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Davis has three years remaining on his contract, with a player option that now will be the same season as Irving in 2027-28. The agreement with Irving came on the eve of the NBA draft, with the Mavericks poised to take former Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick after winning the draft lottery despite having just a 1.8% chance to do so. Irving also is a Duke alum, as is young center Dereck Lively II. Once the nine-time All-Star returns from his injury, perhaps in December or January, all three among Irving, Lively and Flagg figure to be in the starting lineup if they are healthy. The 33-year-old Irving came to the Mavericks in a 2023 trade after a tumultuous tenure in Brooklyn. The idea then was to pair him with Doncic, and a year later the duo led Dallas to the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years. Boston beat the Mavs in five games last June. The stunning decision to send Doncic to the Lakers elevated Irving's status, although Davis' championship pedigree with the Lakers essentially put the two on even footing. Irving, who has averaged 23.7 points and 5.6 assists over 14 seasons, and LeBron James won a title together with Cleveland in 2016. Davis went down with a groin injury in his Dallas debut, and before he could come back, Irving sustained his knee injury about a month after the Doncic trade. Skeptics were plentiful when the Mavs traded for Irving, who wanted out of Brooklyn after 3 1/2 seasons of disappointments on the court and plenty of drama off it. Earlier in the season he was dealt to Dallas, Irving was suspended by the Nets for what became eight games after the team said it was dismayed by his repeated failure to 'unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.' That came shortly after Irving refused to issue the apology that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sought for posting a link to an antisemitic work on his Twitter feed. Irving also wound up losing his long relationship with Nike as part of the massive fallout from what he tweeted and the reactions that followed. Irving also missed much of the 2021-22 season because of his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which left him essentially ineligible to play in Brooklyn's home games for much of the season because of New York City rules put in place in response to the pandemic. There has been no such drama in Dallas, and Irving has enjoyed a resurgence in his career. He was on an expiring contract when the Mavs traded for him. During the 2023 offseason, Irving stayed with Dallas on a three-year deal with a player option in the final season. Now he's about to do it again.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
A Manchester City youngster has been seen on crutches after picking up an injury against Al Ain
A Manchester City youngster has been seen on crutches after picking up an injury against Al Ain So far it has been smooth sailing for Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup. Comfortable victories over Wydad AC and Al Ain have laid a strong foundation for Pep Guardiola's side to work their way into the tournament. But coming out of Manchester City's 6-nil win over Al Ain, an ankle injury sustained by Claudio Echeverri was a fresh cause for concern for Pep Guardiola's side. Now Echeverri has been pictured on crutches and in a moon boot at Manchester City training. It would seem that the young attacking midfielder's participation in Manchester City's next Group G match against Juventus is in doubt. He may also be at risk of being ruled out for the remainder of the FIFA Club World Cup. Claudio Echeverri has been pictured on crutches and in a moon boot at Manchester City training. City Report has shared a video of Claudio Echeverri on X of the young attacking midfielder walking on crutches and in a moon boot at Manchester City training. Rob Dawson has reported for ESPN that Claudio Echeverri is currently being assessed by Manchester City's medical staff. Furthermore, Dawson reports that Echeverri has been unable to train with his Manchester City teammates on Monday and Tuesday. Dawson adds that Echeverri is ruled out of Manchester City's final Group G fixture against Juventus. The severity of the ankle injury Echeverri sustained is unknown at this stage. A further update on Claudio Echeverri's injury is expected when Pep Guardiola next fronts the media. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is set to front the media on Wednesday night (UK time). It is expected that Guardiola will provide an update on Claudio Echeverri's injury. The hope is that the moon boot and crutches that Echeverri is currently utilising are a precautionary measure. Advertisement Claudio Echeverri sustained an ankle injury after Al Ain midfielder Yahia Nader fell across his ankle in the 15th minute of Manchester City's 6-nil win at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Echeverri played out the first half and scored his first goal for Manchester City. But he was replaced by Phil Foden at halftime due to the injury he sustained. Now it remains to be seen just how long Claudio Echeverri will be sidelined for. But the early signs aren't promising in regards to the injury sustained by the young attacking midfielder.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
NBA free agency 2025: Latest news, rumors, trades ahead of NBA Draft as Kyrie Irving reaches new deal with Mavs, Celtics deal Kristaps Porzingis
The Oklahoma City Thunder just won the NBA championship, but the other 29 teams don't have time to celebrate. The NBA offseason is already in full swing, with two significant trades already taking place ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. NBA free agency officially begins at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, June 30, when teams are allowed to start negotiating with free agents. Players can sign contracts beginning on July 6. Advertisement Kevin Durant and Jrue Holiday may find themselves with new teams, but they won't be the only players wearing new jerseys next season. Here are the latest moves, rumors and trades ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. June 24: Kyrie Irving reaches new deal with Mavs Kyrie Irving declined his player option on Tuesday night and agreed to a new three-year, $119 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. That will end up paying Irving about $40 million per season. Though he had the chance to leave, Irving was never expected to make a move away from the Mavericks this summer. The nine-time All Star is currently recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in March, though the team hopes he'll be back in action by January. Advertisement The deal is the second one the Mavericks have made this week, following Daniel Gafford's new deal on Monday. The team also has the No. 1 pick in Wednesday's draft, where they're expected to take Cooper Flagg. June 24: Celtics reportedly finalizing deal to send Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in 3-team trade involving Nets The Boston Celtics are finalizing a three-team deal with the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets that sends Kristaps Porzingis to the Hawks, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Per the report, the Celtics are sending Porzingis and a second-round draft pick to Atlanta. The Hawks are sending Terance Mann and the No. 22 pick in Wednesday's NBA draft to the Nets. Atlanta will also send Georges Niang and a second-round selection to the Celtics. The move is the second trade in two days for the Celtics after they dealt Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a package that features Anfernee Simons and future second-round draft picks. Advertisement The trades by the Celtics are part of an effort to move salaries below the NBA's punitive second tax apron of $207,825,000. Boston is parting with core members of its 2024 championship team to do so. Like Holiday, Porzingis was a key contributor on that championship team that secured the franchise's first NBA title since 2008. June 24: Pelicans reportedly trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk to Wizards for package including Jordan Poole The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to Washington Wizards for a package that includes Jordan Poole, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Per the report, the Pelicans are also sending a future second-round pick to Washington. In addition to Poole, the Wizards are sending the Pelicans Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft. The deal signals a further roster overhaul of the Pelicans core after New Orleans traded Brandon Ingram to the Toronto Raptors during the season. Advertisement McCollum, 33, was a three-plus-year starter for the Pelicans after arriving via trade from the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2021-22 season. McCollum was previously Damian Lillard's backcourt running mate in Portland. June 24: Matisse Thybulle picks up option, returns to Trailblazers Matisse Thybulle is staying in Portland as he picked up his $11.5 million player option for the 2025-26 season, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday. The 28-year-old was traded to Portland from the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2022-2023 season as part of a four-team trade that also involved the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets. Thybulle signed a $33 million deal for three years the following offseason. Advertisement Thybulle's option comes after he played 15 games this past season and averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals as the Blazers finished with a 36-46 record. June 24: Knicks reportedly interviewing Timberwolves coach Micah Nori The New York Knicks found another candidate for their head-coaching position. Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori will reportedly interview for the role. Nori is a long-time assistant around the league, and has served in that role with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons before joining the Timberwolves. Nori is the third person the Knicks have interviewed for the role. Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins each had formal interviews with the team. Of that trio, Nori is the only one without head-coaching experience. Advertisement June 23: Celtics reportedly trading Jrue Holiday to Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons, draft picks The Trail Blazers struck a deal with the Boston Celtics on Monday night to acquire Holiday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. In exchange, Portland is sending guard Anfernee Simons and a pair of future second-round draft picks to Boston. The deal, according to Charania, is only the beginning for the Celtics this offseason. The team is still engaged in trade talks 'surrounding multiple key players on the roster,' though further specifics are not yet known. Boston has significant work to do to avoid the luxury tax altogether, and it's likely that Holiday is simply the first player to go. June 23: Khris Middleton reportedly picks up $33.3 million option to remain with Wizards next season Advertisement Middleton picked up his $33.3 million player option for the 2025-26 campaign on Monday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. That is part of the initial three-year, $93 million deal he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023. The Bucks dealt Middleton to the Wizards ahead of the deadline last season in a move that sent Kyle Kuzma to Milwaukee. Middleton ended up playing in just 14 games for the Wizards, who went 18-64 and missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year, while dealing with a knee injury. In total, Middleton averaged 11.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season, his lowest numbers since his rookie campaign. June 22: Suns trade Kevin Durant to Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, draft picks Advertisement The Phoenix Suns traded Durant to the Houston Rockets, in exchange for Green and Brooks. Phoenix also received the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and five second-round picks as part of the trade. The deal will not officially go through until July 6, per ESPN's Bobby Marks, due to a restriction in Green's rookie extension, which he signed last October. The second-round picks in the trade will stretch to 2032, per NBA insider Jake Fischer. Durant will join an emerging Rockets team that is anchored by rising stars Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün, as starters Green and Brooks are sent to Phoenix. The Rockets made the playoffs this season for the first time since 2020 as the No. 2 seed in the West. They lost in the first round to the Golden State Warriors. June 21: Pat Connaughton picks up option, returns to Bucks Pat Connaughton is comfortable in Milwaukee. The veteran guard reportedly picked up his player option to return to the team, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Saturday. Advertisement Connaughton had until Tuesday to make a decision on his $9.4 million option. The 32-year-old averaged 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds with the team last season. After starting his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, Connaughton has spent the past seven seasons in Milwaukee. He's mostly served in a backup role with the team, though is occasionally pushing into a starting spot. After averaging 22.3 minutes per game in his first six seasons with the Bucks, Connaughton saw that number drop to 14.7 minutes per game last season. With Connaughton on board, the Bucks project to sit below the first apron. The team should still be "able to sign a player to the $14.1 million midlevel exception," per ESPN.
