Kyrie Irving will return to the Mavericks in 2023–24, signing a three-year, $126 million with the team according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Irving was originally acquired by Dallas via a trade with the Nets ahead of the 2023 trade deadline.
Irving, an eight-time NBA All-Star and former NBA champion with the Cavaliers, was the top player available in free agency. Even so, his return to Dallas was largely expected, as the market for Irving, who saw his tenures with the Nets, Celtics and Cavaliers come to contentious ends, was reportedly not robust.
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After reports that Irving was set to meet with the Suns and could try and gauge interest from the Rockets and 76ers, he ultimately returns to Dallas on a relatively short deal early on in free agency.
Dallas traded for Irving on Feb. 5 for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and multiple second-round picks. In 20 games for Dallas following the deal, he averaged 27 points and six assists, shooting .510/.392/.947, but the team failed to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference.
