"Horrible contract, why would they?" - NBA fans react as Kyrie Irving intends to re-sign with Mavs on 3-year, $119M contract after ACL injury

Kyrie Irving is reportedly staying with the Dallas Mavericks and is planning to sign a three-year, $119 million contract this summer. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Irving will decline his $43 million player option for next season and sign a new three-year deal. The contract will include a player option for the 2027-28 NBA season, when the one-time NBA champion is 35 years old.

Irving was tasked with carrying the Mavs following Luka Doncic's trade to the LA Lakers. However, he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3. He underwent surgery, and it's unclear if he will suit up next season. ACL injuries usually take nine to 12 months of recovery.

The Dallas Mavericks view Kyrie Irving as an important part of their plan to win an NBA championship in the next two to three years.

However, fans were surprised by the news because of Irving's injury, which could slow him down as he approaches the final years of his career.

"Coming off an ACL injury, this is a horrible contract," one fan wrote. "Why would they do this?"

𝔹𝕠𝕝𝕨𝕣𝕝𝕕

@BolWrld

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Coming off a ACL injury, this is a horrible contract. Why would they do this?

👻

@mvpant00

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40 mil for a 33-year-old off an ACL injury. Ok.

Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴

@big_business_

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Kyrie took a paycut because he feels like Mavs can beat the Thunder fully healthy.

He thinks Mavs can go to the NBA finals with this roster.

10

@HoodiGarland

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Glad to know loyalty still exist in this league.

ace ⛈️

@30BeenDat

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Lakers fans thought they was getting him 😂

🌨️

@NotLikeRuss

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Mavs championship in 2 years. I can see it.

Kyrie Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season before going down with the knee injury. Irving had to carry a lot of the scoring load after Anthony Davis went down with an injury in his first game for the Mavericks.

In addition to Irving and AD, the Mavs will boast a roster featuring PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, and likely Cooper Flagg, who is the consensus top pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

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Kyrie Irving's new contract will help Mavericks stay under the second apron

Kyrie Irving's new contract helps Mavericks stay under the second apron. (Photo: IMAGN)

Fans may not be too impressed with Kyrie Irving's contract due to his age and injury history, but it is potentially a wise move for all parties involved. Irving gets what should be his last big contract, while the Mavs remain under the second apron and get flexibility for the free agent market.

ESPN's Bobby Marks reported that Irving's new deal allows the Mavericks to use their $5.7 million tax midlevel exception. Shams Charania reported that the players general manager Nico Harrison could go after are D'Angelo Russell, Chris Paul, Dennis Schröder and Malcolm Brogdon.

The Mavericks would have been in the second apron if Irving decided to opt into his $43 million contract for next season.