The Dallas Mavericks expect guard Kyrie Irving to return to All-Star form for the upcoming NBA season, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. Irving spent the entire 2025–2026 campaign recovering from a torn left ACL sustained on March 3, 2025, during a game against the Sacramento Kings.
Kyrie Irving’s Recovery and On-Court Progress
Irving underwent surgery following his ACL tear, missing the entirety of the 2025–2026 season. According to reports from dallassportsjournal.com, the nine-time All-Star has made significant progress in the final stages of his rehabilitation, engaging in sustained drills and competitive one-on-one work with assistant coach Phil Handy and the Mavericks’ development staff. During a Twitch livestream in February 2025, Irving addressed his recovery timeline, telling fans, “I’ll give you guys an update after the All-Star break. Whether it’s this year or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll speak when the time is right.” Offseason workouts have shown the 34-year-old guard moving without restriction. Brooklyn Nets guard Michael Porter Jr. noted on his “Curious Mike” podcast that Irving looked impressive in recent summer scrimmages, stating that he was easily getting to the lane despite his previous knee injury.
Impact on the Dallas Mavericks Roster
When Irving returns to the hardwood, he will step into a revamped Mavericks roster. The franchise executed a blockbuster trade shipping out Anthony Davis to accumulate draft capital and financial flexibility, and subsequently selected rookie Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Flagg averaged 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists through 49 games while handling primary playmaking duties. Internal team projections indicate that Flagg’s emergence as a primary initiator will allow Irving to function primarily as an explosive scoring guard rather than shouldering full-time playmaking responsibilities, according to dallassportsjournal.com.
Trade Rumors and Future Outlook
Despite the team’s public stance pointing toward Irving’s return as a focal point, trade rumors persist surrounding the veteran playmaker. According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, league circles suggest that Dallas could monitor Irving’s early-season performance and value as he plays on a $40 million salary for the year before he can opt out. Deveney reported that if Irving produces numbers similar to his 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game from the 2024–2025 season—where he shot 47.3% from the field and 40.1% from three-point range—suitors could emerge willing to trade a first-round draft pick and young assets. For now, the Mavericks are preparing for Irving to anchor the backcourt as the team targets a return to the Western Conference playoffs.
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