Kyrie Irving is back.
The ballhandling whiz has re-signed with the Mavericks with a deal that was agreed to shortly after free agency began last week and was made official with his signing that was announced late Friday night.
The Mavericks said from the day last season ended that their No. 1 priority in the way-too-long offseason was to retain Irving. They made good on that desire, signing the 6-2 eight-time all-star to a deal that was widely reported to be for three years and $126-million.
The signing of the 31-year-old Irving means the Mavericks will keep their All-Star backcourt with Luka Dončić teaming with Irving. It gives the Mavs two of the best ballhandlers and playmakers in the league.
Irving also represents the biggest free-agent success for the Mavericks since Dirk Nowitzki shunned suitors during his career and stayed with the Mavericks.
Irving, along with Markieff Morris, was acquired just before the February trade deadline in exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and a trio of draft picks later this decade.
The Mavericks had high hopes after pulling off the blockbuster, but the results were not what they expected as they missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19.
However, the Mavericks have been of the opinion that the trade for Irving was not geared toward a quick fix but was a long-term investment to put a superstar alongside Luka.
One of the longest-tenured Mavs, Maxi Kleber, said this week that optimism is bubbling over in the wake of Irving’s signing.
“I’m very excited about it because I think we have a great team – great signings this summer, people that can really help us out a lot,” Kleber said. “A little bit of time together to get a rhythm when they (Luka and Irving) are both on the court. Even with the teammates, I think that’s something that will improve a lot this year.”
The Mavericks’ roster is taking shape quickly with signings becoming official.
Here’s a look at the players under contract (subject to change):
Frontcourt: Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Richaun Holmes, JaVale McGee, Reggie Bullock.
Backcourt: Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, Jaden Hardy.
Twitter: @ESefko
(Below is the official Maverick’s release on Irving’s signing)
MAVERICKS SIGN EIGHT-TIME ALL-STAR KYRIE IRVING
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Irving (6-2, 191) holds career averages of 23.4 points (.472 FG%, .391 3FG%, .885 FT%), 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 34.3 minutes per game in 671 games (all starts) with Cleveland, Boston, Brooklyn and Dallas. In 20 games with the Mavericks last season, he averaged 27.0 points (.510 FG%, .392 3FG%, .947 FT%), 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 38.2 minutes.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Kyrie and his family back to Dallas,” Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison said. “He is one of the most gifted basketball players in the league and his championship pedigree will bring valuable experience to our group.”
In 60 total games with Brooklyn and Dallas in 2022-23, Irving averaged 27.1 points (.494 FG%, .379 3FG%, .905 FT%), 5.1 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 37.3 minutes. He finished the season as one of seven players to average at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists (along with teammate Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Ja Morant).
Irving led the NBA in fourth-quarter scoring (9.5 ppg) last season while also ranking inside the top 10 in minutes (2nd, 37.3 mpg), free throw percentage (7th, .905) and overall scoring (8th, 27.1 ppg).
The 12-year veteran was acquired by Dallas along with forward/center Markieff Morris from Brooklyn in exchange for guard Spencer Dinwiddie, forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two future second-round picks on Feb. 6.
Irving’s 94.7% (89-94 FT) free throw percentage with the Mavericks currently stands as the best mark in franchise history (min. 50 FTA) and his 27.0 points per game represent the second-highest scoring average behind Dončić’s 27.6 ppg. He totaled 276 points, 50 rebounds and 69 assists in his first 10 games with Dallas, joining himself (2019-20 with Brooklyn) as the only player in NBA history to record at least 275 points, 50 rebounds and 60 assists in his first 10 games with a franchise.
The 31-year-old started alongside Dončić for Team LeBron at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, marking the first time in team history that the Mavericks had two All-Star Game starters. It was Irving’s eighth career All-Star appearance (6th start) and he posted a franchise-record 32 points, surpassing the 29 points Rolando Blackman scored in the 1987 NBA All-Star Game.
Irving is a three-time All-NBA selection and helped Cleveland to its lone NBA championship in 2016. He also took home All-Star Game MVP honors with the Cavaliers in 2014.
The former Duke guard was selected by Cleveland with the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and garnered NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2011-12.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, while his father was playing professional basketball for the Bulleen Boomers, Irving moved to the United States when he was two years old. He elected to represent the United States national team and helped the Americans win a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. With the win, Irving became just the fourth member of Team USA to capture the NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, joining Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and James.
Irving’s community work includes his KAI Family Enterprise, which seeks to uplift underrepresented entrepreneurs and businesses that do not have access to proper guidance in the business world. Amongst his philanthropic endeavors, Irving has donated $1.5 million to help cover the salaries of WNBA players who opted out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic, paid off the tuition for nine students at HBCU Lincoln University, gave $323,000 to Feeding America during the COVID-19 pandemic, and partnered with City Harvest to donate 250,000 meals across the New York area.
After wearing No. 2 for Dallas in 2022-23, Irving will don No. 11 for the Mavericks in 2023-24.
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