2016 NBA Champion Point Guard Re-Signs with the Mavericks
This past NBA season was a wild one for the Dallas Mavericks. They traded their star in Luka Dončic and acquired big man Anthony Davis. Dallas finished the season at 39-43, making it to the Play-In Tournament as the 10th seed. They defeated the Sacramento Kings, advancing in the Play-In Tournament, but would be eliminated from playoff contention by the Memphis Grizzlies. Also, former 2016 NBA champion point guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in a crucial contract season. Now, after a crazy season, the Mavericks obtained the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With a newly shaped roster, it’s been reported by Shams Charania that Irving declined his 2025-2026 player option but intends to sign a three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks worth $119 million.
Irving was selected as the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. While he was the top player on the team, it wasn’t until LeBron James' return to Cleveland that the Cavaliers' play improved. The Cavs would go on to play in the NBA Finals for four consecutive years, from 2015 to 2018. Even though they lost in 2015, 2017, and 2018, that 2016 NBA Championship run will always go down in infamy as one of the best runs by an NBA team. Besides LeBron, Irving showed how capable and talented he is when there are some great players surrounding him. During the 2017 offseason, Irving requested a trade, which was granted to the Boston Celtics. Two seasons later, he signed a four-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. During the 2022-2023 NBA season, the Nets traded the 2016 NBA champion point guard to the Dallas Mavericks.
Last season, Irving played in 50 games. He started in all 50 games, averaging about 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal a game. On December 28th, the 2016 NBA champion point guard dropped 46 points along with two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block during a 126-122 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Irving is truly one of the most decorated players in the NBA today. He’s a nine-time all-star, the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2014, a two-time All-NBA Third Team, and a former Rookie of the Year.
