Dallas Mavericks Re-sign Kyrie Irving to $119M Deal Despite ACL Injury

The Dallas Mavericks have officially re-signed nine-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to a three-year, $119 million contract with a player option for the 2027-28 season, after he declined his previous $43 million player option. Irving, who is recovering from a torn ACL sustained last season, is expected to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season, with no clear timeline provided for his return as he focuses on his recovery. The signing coincides with 'Luka Doncic Day,' a date fans noted given the Mavericks' recent trade of Doncic to the LA Lakers, which elicited mixed reactions among supporters. Despite his injury and past controversies, Irving has been a positive presence for the Mavericks since his acquisition in February 2023, averaging nearly 25 points per game and helping lead the team to the NBA Finals last season. The Mavericks are also building a new core around Irving, including recent acquisitions Anthony Davis and top draft pick Cooper Flagg, aiming to contend for the franchise's first championship since 2011. Irving expressed a commitment to returning stronger, describing his recovery as a 'beautiful struggle' and emphasizing patience in his rehab process.