Mavericks may slow-play Kyrie Irving return with eyes on draft, future

Kyrie Irving wants back on the floor this season. The Mavericks may not want him there.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Dallas could seriously consider pushing Irving’s return from a torn left ACL to next season, especially given where the team sits in the standings.

Irving suffered the injury in early March, has not yet been cleared to practice, and while he is eager to play, league sources expect internal discussions about shutting it down until 2026-27.

There is logic behind it. The Mavericks are currently 12th in the West and outside the play-in picture. More importantly, the 2026 draft represents the last year Dallas controls its own first-round pick until 2031. Losing now may help more than chasing a low-ceiling, late-season push.

Irving was elite last year, appearing in 50 games and averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 40.1 percent from three and 91.6 percent at the line.

Dallas rewarded him with a three-year, $118 million deal. He is earning $36.6 million this season and holds a $42.4 million player option for 2027-28.