Kyrie Irving said at the Mavericks’ media day that he is “in love” with Dallas and wants to stay, despite trade rumors. The front office wants to see him play alongside Cooper Flagg before deciding his future with the team.
Irving joined Dallas in February 2023 and reached the NBA Finals in his first full season. Since Luka Dončić was traded and Irving tore his ACL in 2025, his place on the changed Mavericks team has been questioned by media and fans.
Irving is eligible for an extension and can enter free agency in 2027 if he declines his $42.4 million player option. The article describes a long-term deal with a lower annual salary as Dallas’ best-case scenario for preserving future flexibility.
