One full season in a Mavericks uniform has revitalized Kyrie Irving's career.
While Irving's star never stopped shining, stops in Boston and Brooklyn clouded much of what Irving has put on display during Dallas' unexpected run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Irving's averages of 23.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds through the first three rounds of the playoffs are certainly impressive, but his presence and leadership have captivated those who wrote him off during previous stops, particularly during his Nets days.
When Brooklyn agreed to trade Irving to Dallas in February 2023, New York headlines read, "He's your headache now," "You can Mav him" and "Good riddance." Less than 18 months later, the Mavericks are the major winners of the deal.
Here's a look back at the trade that transpired.
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Kyrie Irving trade, revisited
Mavericks received
- Kyrie Irving
- Markieff Morris
Nets received
- Spencer Dinwiddie
- Dorian Finney-Smith
- 2027 second-round pick
- 2029 first-round pick
- 2029 second-round pick
After Irving reportedly requested a trade from Brooklyn, rumors linked him to the Lakers before Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison swooped in to make a deal for the eight-time All-Star.
At the time of the trade, I gave the Mavericks a B+ because of Irving's injury history and impending free agency. Had I known Irving would re-sign with the franchise, the move would have earned an A.
My reasoning for the optimism was simple: Irving immediately became the best teammate Doncic had ever had and Dallas was showing a desire to move away from the middle of the pack in the Western Conference. While it took another season — and a few more moves — the Mavs successfully jumped into another tier of contention and are now back in the Finals for the third time in franchise history.
Optimism around the trade was certainly not the overwhelming reaction. With Irving requesting a trade from Cleveland, reneging on a public promise to re-sign with Boston and requesting a trade from Brooklyn, there were doubts about how fruitful his time in Dallas could be.
Irving's numbers with the Mavericks certainly qualify as fruitful.
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Kyrie Irving Mavericks stats
| Regular season | Playoffs | |
| Games (Record) | 78 (47-31) | 17 (12-5) |
| PPG | 26.0 | 22.8 |
| RPG | 5.0 | 3.9 |
| APG | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| SPG | 1.3 | 1.2 |
| BPG | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| FG% | 50.0 | 48.5 |
| 3P% | 40.6 | 42.1 |
| FT% | 91.8 | 82.8 |
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Kyrie Irving contract details
As a free agent in 2023, Irving re-signed with the Mavericks on a three-year, $120 million deal. His salary increases each season and he will be under contract with the franchise through at least the 2024-25 season.
Irving has the option to enter free agency in 2025 ahead of his age-33 season.
| Season | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $38.0 million |
| 2024-25 | $41.0 million |
| 2025-26 | $43.9 million (PO) |
PO = Player Option
Kyrie Irving transaction history
2011: Cavaliers select Irving with No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft
2014: Irving signs five-year, $90 million extension with Cavaliers
2017: Cavaliers trade Irving to Celtics for Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, 2018 first-round pick, 2020 second-round pick
2019: Irving signs four-year, $141 million deal with Nets in free agency
2023: Nets trade Irving to Mavericks for Dinwiddie, Finney-Smith, future draft picks
2024: Irving signs three-year, $120 million deal to remain with Mavericks
