Kyrie Irving may return in January 2026

After the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, Nico Harrison's plans were derailed by injuries, but the team is hopeful that Kyrie Irving can recover from his ACL rupture in time for the 2026 All-Star break. Given that Irving might become a free agency this offseason, his contract situation is also in doubt. In order to sign Irving to a new three-year contract, the Mavericks are interested in having him decline his player option for 25–26.

"The expectation around the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, is that he will play a good chunk of next season," Shams Charania stated. It is hoped that he will return by January."He's got, before that, a $45 million player option. That's the next situation that Nico Harrison and the Mavericks will have to deal with. The goal for the Mavericks has been to rip up his player option and give him a three-year deal potentially.