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[Saba Sports News]Despite Kyrie Irving’s devastating ACL tear earlier this month, the Dallas Mavericks may still be committed to giving him a max contract extension this offseason.
Appearing on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, Mike A. Curtis of the Dallas Morning News said the team’s goal remains clear: keep Kyrie in Dallas long-term.
“The goal is to keep Kyrie in Dallas as long as they can,” Curtis said. “Before the injury, he was definitely on track for a max extension. I think that’s still the case. I don’t think you just wanna have a guy for a year and risk him leaving in free agency the year after. I think they want to lock him in as soon as they can.”
Irving, a nine-time All-Star, holds a $44 million player option for the 2025-26 season. Before his injury, he was fully expected to receive a max deal from the Mavericks. But after tearing his ACL, many assumed those plans would be put on hold.
The 32-year-old could now miss the first half of next season, and with his game heavily reliant on quickness, there are concerns about how he’ll bounce back post-recovery.
Still, the Mavericks made their intentions clear when they traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers last month, effectively handing the keys to the franchise to Irving. The veteran guard also shares a close bond with Dallas GM Nico Harrison, a former Nike executive, who released an emotional statement following Kyrie’s injury.
If Dallas does proceed with the extension, Irving would be eligible for a five-year, $313 million deal — over $62 million per year through age 38. That would be a massive financial risk considering the timing and severity of his injury, but it appears the Mavericks are serious about backing their star.