What A New Contract Could Look Like For Kyrie Irving If He Re-Signs With The Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks’ trade for Kyrie Irving became official Monday evening. In the blockbuster deal for the eight-time All-Star, Dallas also received forward Markieff Morris from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two future second-round picks.

This is a momentous move to land a second All-Star alongside Luka Doncic. It’s also a deal that holds considerable risk for Dallas. Now that they’ve landed Irving, the Mavericks will have the opportunity to sign him long-term or let him walk this summer when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Irving is in the final year of a four-year, $136.49 million contract that he signed with the Nets in the summer of 2019. Currently, the Mavericks could offer Irving a two-year, $86.24 million extension, which is well below his market value—even considering his health and off-court issues. Extension and future contract talks likely won’t take place until this summer.

If Irving opts to stay in Dallas—rejoining LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers has been a desire of his—the Mavericks can offer him a significant amount of money because they hold his Bird rights. What isn’t known is how much Mavericks governor Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison are willing to pay him and for how long.

A four-year deal could net Irving $210.11 million. However, he is eligible for a five-year, $272.92 million maximum contract if he re-signs with the Mavericks. The most any other organization would be able to offer him in free agency is four years and $201.67 million. Should Irving decide to decamp from Dallas, he will leave a lot of money on the table.

Of course, Irving, Doncic and the rest of the Mavericks have to make things work on the court during the final quarter of the regular season. If Irving and Doncic can’t develop chemistry and cohabitate, then any talks of Irving staying in Dallas for the foreseeable future become moot. He’ll walk, and the Mavericks will return to square one.

If that scenario does play out, Irving’s departure will leave Dallas with a significant chunk of cap space to work with this summer. With Irving gone, the Mavericks could potentially free up more than $25 million in cap space thanks to several expiring contracts, including those of Markieff Morris, Frank Ntilikina, Theo Pinson and Dwight Powell.

The Mavericks took a considerable risk trading for Irving. It’s a move the organization felt it had to make during a season that has the team hovering at or slightly above .500. If everything works out, there’s a path for Irving to stay in Dallas long term, but given his history on and off the court, that’s a big if.