Kyrie Irving Inks $119M Extension With Mavericks, Takes Pay Cut To Boost Roster

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has opted out of his $43 million player option and intends to sign a three-year extension worth $119 million.

This contract, negotiated by Irving’s agent Shetellia Riley Irving, includes a player option for the 2027-28 season and will keep the All-Star guard in Dallas long term, as reported by ESPN’s Sham Charania.

Irving told ESPN that the decision to remain with the Mavericks stems from a mutual commitment and a belief that the team can win an NBA championship once he has recovered from a torn ACL.

Although Irving is recovering from a significant injury, he is still coming off one of the best seasons of his career. He averaged 24.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range.

Irving posted on social media shortly after the deal was announced to express his excitement.

Hélà x @dallasmavs
Tribe, Maktub🤞🏾♾🪶❤️ https://t.co/FrMnK7lpWX

— Kyrie🤞🏾 (@KyrieIrving) June 25, 2025

One of the most important aspects of this contract is that Irving actually took a pay cut to help the Mavericks add to the roster, enabling the franchise to use the $5.7 million mid-level exception, according to Marc Stein.

By opting out of his contract and taking a pay cut, Irving helped the Mavericks avoid the NBA’s second apron salary cap restrictions, which make operating and adding players to the roster significantly more difficult than in previous years.

Instead, the organization will operate under the first apron restrictions.

These restrictions mean the team cannot use sign-and-trade deals or apply trade exceptions created last season.

Additionally, the franchise must completely match player salaries when negotiating a trade.

Dallas is widely expected to use the available funds to pursue a point guard. This guard will help run the offense during the first half of the season while Irving recovers from his injury, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

The Mavericks have reportedly been eyeing future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, as previously reported by DX, along with two other names who are currently free agents.

“They need to find a point guard that they can bring in, can play as a starter while Kyrie Irving is out, and I’m told two names to keep an eye on are there, D’Angelo Russell and Malcolm Brogdon,” said Charania while discussing other potential options.