NBA Insider Speculates Kyrie Irving Could Enter Free Agency And Demand a New Deal With the Mavericks: 'I Think He Wants to Remain in Dallas'

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is in the second year of his three-year, $120 million contract. In the final year of the deal, the Mavs gave Irving a player option, which he could exercise in the summer of 2025. NBA Insider Brian Windhorst predicts the 2016 champion could opt out of his deal to enter free agency.

Mavericks Kyrie Irving 'happy to come back' after free agency - ESPN

Irving has a $43.9 million player option, which Windhorst believes he’ll decline. However, the All-Star wants to remain in Dallas and could re-sign with the team on a bigger contract. The former lottery pick may re-sign with the team for a four-year contract for up to $240 million, according to Spotrac.

“I think we have to start talking about Kyrie Irving potentially being a free agent next season,” Windhorst said. “The way he’s playing is so strong I would assume he’s going to opt out of that contract. I think he wants to remain in Dallas, but they’re gonna have to pay him.”

“There was a lot of people who thought that the Mavericks may have even overpaid Kyrie a year ago because they thought, ‘There wasn’t anybody competing with them, who is he going to make this offer?’ It’s been a great contract for the Mavericks.”

Windhorst credited Irving’s play this season for the Mavs. In 14 games, the eight-time All-Star is averaging 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 54.5% shooting. Outside the arc, the backcourt star has impressed critics with his 53.8% shooting.

“Kyrie is having, far and away, his best efficiency season,” he added. “Especially if he carries him while Luka is dealing with injuries here. He’s gonna be a strong candidate to get back into the All-Star game.”

The Mavs are ‘happy’ with Kyrie Irving’s role with the team

The Mavs have not found their rhythm this season, despite most of their key players being healthy. However, the organization has made it known what they think about Kyrie Irving’s role this season. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN via the “Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective” podcast, Dallas is “happy” with Irving’s role as the team’s locker room leader.

“They are going to put a big number on the table for him,” MacMahon said. “He has been extremely happy in Dallas, they have been really happy with him. He is the leader of this locker room, that is unquestioned, and right now he is playing as well as he ever has.”

Before arriving in Dallas, Irving underwent controversy with the Brooklyn Nets. His issues with the Nets organization led him to be traded to the Mavs in the middle of the 2023-24 season.