Dallas Mavericks co-interim general manager Matt Riccardi joined Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket and the decision to shut down NBA star Kyrie Irving for the season was brought up.
Irving tore his left ACL last season against the Sacramento Kings. The Duke product has made great progress in his rehab, but the Mavericks and Irving decided it would be best if the All-Star makes his return next season.
“When we sat down as a group, we decided the best thing long-term was for him to be 100% physically, mentally and emotionally,” Matt Riccardi said about Kyrie Irving. “He’s been an incredible teammate. Traveling, coaching guys up, staying engaged. Long term, having him fully healthy alongside Cooper [Flagg] and the rest of our group is what matters most.”
Dallas signed Irving to a three-year, $118 million contract last July. Irving is making $36.6 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027 by declining his 2027-28 player option worth $42.4 million.
Irving appeared in 50 games for the Mavericks last season. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 47.3% from the field, 40.1% from beyond the arc and 91.6% from the free-throw line.
“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one,” Kyrie Irving said in a statement about not playing this season. “I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process. I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows.
“And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”
The Mavericks are building around Irving and Cooper Flagg after trading Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Irving and Davis only played one game together last season.
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