DHJ Quick Take: Mike Schmitz Says Kyrie Irving ‘Completely Locked In’ as Mavericks Eye ACL Return, Cooper Flagg Fit
- Everything Humanly Possible: General manager Mike Schmitz said Kyrie Irving has been a near-constant presence at the Mavericks’ practice facility this offseason and is doing “everything humanly possible” to return at full strength from the torn ACL that cost him the 2025-26 season.
- Injury Context: Irving tore his ACL during the 2024-25 season after appearing in 50 games, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists before going down with the injury.
- Body of Work Anchors the Optimism: Schmitz pointed to Irving’s track record as both a primary option and a complementary star, saying his daily approach around the facility gives Dallas “a ton of optimism” about his return.
- No Concern About the Flagg Fit: Schmitz pushed back on rival executives’ questions about the age gap, saying he has “no concern” about pairing the 34-year-old Irving with Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 70 games as a rookie.
DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz said he has seen Kyrie Irving doing everything possible to return at full strength from the torn ACL that ended his 2025-26 season, citing the 34-year-old guard’s presence and approach inside the team’s practice facility this offseason.
Schmitz made the comments Friday during a roundtable with reporters at the American Airlines Center.
“I can say he’s been doing everything humanly possible to maximize his talent and to do that,” Schmitz said. “Just to see his approach and how he’s attacking things every day has been incredibly impressive. To see his leadership, to see the way he carries himself, to see the way he pours into Cooper and pours into the rest of the guys. It’s May 29, and there’s a level of buy-in that is really impressive.”
Irving tore his ACL during the 2024-25 season after appearing in 50 games. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists before the injury and missed the entire 2025-26 season.
A Body of Work That Speaks for Itself
Schmitz joined the Mavericks earlier this month after serving as assistant general manager in Portland. He said his confidence in Irving’s return is rooted in both the guard’s career history and what he has observed firsthand.
“He has a body of work that I think speaks for itself,” Schmitz said. “He’s won at the highest level. He’s done it in a variety of roles where he’s played. He can be the primary guy. He can play alongside another star.”
Schmitz specifically pointed to Irving’s daily approach within the facility.
“I think it’s the body of work. I think it’s his approach to the game. Seeing him almost daily around the facility, completely locked in to everything we’re doing, it’s been really impressive to see,” Schmitz said. “Being around that every day combined with everything he’s done to get to this point gives us a ton of optimism alongside his fit with Cooper.”
Looking Ahead to the Pairing With Cooper Flagg
Irving’s recovery sets up the eventual pairing with Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 70 games as a rookie.
The two have yet to play together. Schmitz pointed to Irving’s leadership inside the building as a sign of what is to come.
“Really, really looking forward to seeing those two playing together and really excited about what it looks like,” Schmitz said.
The age disparity between Irving and Flagg has drawn external scrutiny. Rival executives have wondered how long the two can co-exist given their differing career timelines. Schmitz has pushed back on those concerns, saying he has “no concern” about the pairing.
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