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The first big "unknown" domino of the Dallas Mavericks' offseason has officially fallen. Kyrie Irving had until 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, June 24th, to decide on his player option worth just a hair under $43 million for the 2025-26 season.
It was an interesting dilemma for the 33-year-old. He tore his ACL in March against the Sacramento Kings and isn't expected to be back on the floor until January or February, but he still held a lot of leverage if he sought a long-term contract because of how much pressure the team is under to win now after the infamous Luka Doncic trade.
As recently as two days ago, Irving was still reportedly undecided on his player option. There hadn't been much speculation about him wanting to leave Dallas, as there's very little available money among NBA teams right now, but the money was the catch. If he were to opt out, it'd likely be able to sign at a number that helps keep the Mavericks below the second tax apron, a move that could cost him roughly $7 million in the 2025-26 season but add a few more years to the deal.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Irving has decided not to pick up his player option for next season, opting out of his deal, and will sign a three-year $119 million extension to remain in Dallas. The contract does have a player option on the final year of the deal. This is nearly the exact same deal he signed two years ago, that being a three-year $120 million deal with the player option.
BREAKING: Dallas Mavericks nine-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving is declining his $43 million player option and intends to sign a three-year, $119 million contract with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option in the 2027-28 season. pic.twitter.com/hduY1vEVVP
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025
Even with Irving back in the fold for next season, Dallas is still mainly looking for a point guard this offseason who can fill in for Irving while he rehabs from his knee injury, but still play a key role once he returns.
Irving's opting out and signing for a lower number for the 2025-26 season will unlock the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception as the Mavericks try to sign a guard who can fill in for Irving, per Marc Stein.
Irving spoke on NBA TV ahead of Game 7 of the NBA Finals, talking about how excited he and the team were to have the first overall pick and for the season to come, further proof of how likely it was for him to remain in Dallas.
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Knicks could trade 2024 first-round pick to make way for veteran additions
The New York Knicks recently signed Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet to non-guaranteed deals. Both veterans will have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during training camp and preseason. However, due to the Knicks' current cap situation, the front office would need to make a trade if it wanted to keep both veterans for the upcoming campaign. According to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, second-year guard Pacome Dadiet could be the most viable trade candidate for New York if they look to retain both Brogdon and Shamet. "Talking to people in the league as of late, the name I keep hearing most is 20-year-old Pacome Dadiet," Edwards reported. "I’ve gathered that the Knicks are entering camp with the idea of keeping Brogdon and Shamet, both of whom are on non-guaranteed deals, for the regular-season roster...Given Dadiet’s age, size (6-8, 210) and projected profile if his development shakes out, he has more value around the league than the likes of youngsters Tyler Kolek or Ariel Hukporti, according to people I’ve spoken with. That is why if the Knicks want to make room for the two veterans, trading Dadiet makes the most sense." Dadiet played in 18 games last season, averaging 1.7 points and one rebound per outing. At 20 years old, he is certainly a developmental project. For a contending team such as the Knicks, moving on from him would be a logical decision if the reward was keeping both Brogdon and Shamet for the upcoming season. The Knicks have multiple trade options available Dadiet isn't the only potential trade candidate for the Knicks. Tyler Kolek, Miles McBride and Ariel Hukporti all fit the bill of young and developing talents. Swapping any of them for proven contributors makes sense, given the Knicks' current timeline. Interestingly, Edwards isn't the only Knicks insider reporting that Brogdon and Shamet will likely stick with the franchise beyond training camp. Ian Begley provided a similar report on September 17. “A trade of either Pacome Dadiet or Miles McBride would clear enough cap space to sign both veterans,” Begley wrote. “The Knicks can also trade Tyler Kolek and have enough space under the second apron to sign both Brogdon and Shamet…I don’t think the Knicks will make a trade ahead of training camp...But if I’m betting today, I’m betting that both Brogdon and Shamet are on the regular season roster.” The Knicks will likely explore every option available to them and make a decision based on the offers they receive. Nevertheless, they've positioned themselves to be incredibly deep heading into the new season. Unless Brogdon or Shamet struggles over the next few weeks, we should feel confident that they both secure a spot moving forward. Brogdon's injury history should worry the Knicks Despite Brogdon's clear upside, the Knicks will be aware of the injury risk he carries. After all, he's played in just 63 games over the past two seasons, and has broken the 60-game mark just twice in his career. Still, when healthy, Brogdon is a high-level guard who can score across all three levels and create for those around him. The Knicks will be rolling the dice on his health, knowing that if he's on the court, he will elevate their chances of success.
Former HC does not hold back on Cowboys' atrocious defense
The Dallas Cowboys have played about as poorly as they possibly can on defense through the first three weeks of the NFL season. One week after needing a pair of late field goals from kicker Brandon Aubrey to outlast the New York Giants, 40-37, in overtime, the Cowboys dropped their second game in three weeks on Sunday in a 31-14 loss to the Chicago Bears, showing no signs of improvement whatsoever. Rex Ryan blasts Cowboys defense Simply put, Dallas just looks lost on defense, leading to former head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan going off during Monday's edition of "Get Up." "Just when we thought it couldn't get worse, this defense comes up with even a worse performance," Ryan said. ... "You're so dumb. I can't stand it. Do something. I don't want to hear about you can't rush the passer. Then how about we send more players on the quarterback. We can't play zone coverage, then how about we play man coverage. You guys stink. Dumbsday defense." Dallas had no answers for the Bears and QB Caleb Williams on Sunday. After struggling to find a rhythm in the first two games, Williams was sensational, throwing for 298 yards and four TDs to pick up head coach Ben Johnson's first win in Chicago. As good as Williams was, though, the Cowboys defense certainly helped. Dallas (1-2) has given up 92 points through three games and is 28th in the league in opponent points per game (30.7 PPG), per TeamRankings. Something Ryan alluded to in his rant was Dallas' inability to stop Chicago on a 19-play, 76-yard drive in the third quarter that took 9:54 off the clock. It was a 24-14 game before then, and the Cowboys were picked off on each of their final three drives afterward to seal their fate. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been solid, accounting for 800 passing yards — fourth-most in the league — and three TDs. Before Sunday, he had only thrown one interception. The run game has also contributed four combined TDs between Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, providing a much-needed balance. That has ultimately not mattered with the defense unable to get stops and limit drives from opposing teams. To make matters worse, star wideout CeeDee Lamb suffered a left ankle injury in the loss on Sunday, and it sounds like he could land on injured reserve, which would put him out of action for at least four games. That is the last thing Dallas needs right now. The team will likely be without its best player for an extended period of time, in addition to having an abysmal defense, which does not sound encouraging going forward for a franchise that always seems to be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after they blew a 10-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Packers allowed the Cleveland Browns to score 13 unanswered points to win 13-10 in front of 65,470 fans at Huntington Bank Field. Following the game, defensive end Micah Parsons had a crude response to the comeback. "Sometimes, just like today, you s--- the bed," Parsons said via ESPN. "That's just the reality of it. It happens to the best teams. Even the best Super Bowl champs make mistakes, and they pay for it early. You go back to the history of the champions and who've they've played and games they should've won. It's just that competitive. "It's that hard to win. It's hard as hell to win football games. When you win football games, it's a celebration. But when you lose, it sucks." What went wrong for the Packers in loss to Browns Parsons and the Packers had a couple of major blunders in the final minute that they want back. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus had a blocked field goal attempt that allowed the Browns a chance to get in range for a game-winning field goal. Parsons was called for a neutral zone infraction on the first play of the Browns' drive, allowing Cleveland to start the series from the Green Bay 48-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. Parsons apologized for the penalty, calling it "unacceptable." The All-Pro finished with two tackles. Parsons has extra motivation for avenging the loss against the Browns. The Packers are set to travel to play his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.
Green Bay Packers, Micah Parsons see another Dallas Cowboys offensive starter ruled out for Week 4
The Green Bay Packers are coming off of a frustrating and humiliating loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Going into the game, many expected Green Bay to win easily, but they fell 13-10 in what was one of the worst games in Matt LaFleur‘s tenure as head coach. It was, by far, the offense’s worst game of the season, and the special teams was its usual disappointing self. The Packers defense, though, performed admirably once again, allowing 13 points on short fields. Rashan Gary had two sacks, giving him an NFL-leading 4.5 on the season. Micah Parsons, as has been his norm since arriving in Green Bay, was a wrecking ball, drawing double-teams and penalties while still generating pressure on the quarterback. And as the Packers look to get back to their winning ways, they look ahead to Week Four and a Sunday night showdown with Parsons’ former team, the Dallas Cowboys, who will be without multiple key offensive players. Micah Parsons the Green Bay Packers defense will face a depleted Dallas Cowboys offensive line It is yet to be seen what the Packers offensive line will look like when they play Dallas this upcoming Sunday night. Zach Tom only played one snap against Cleveland before leaving with his oblique injury and Aaron Banks left later in the game with a groin issue. Unfortunately, Green Bay’s depth on the offensive line was not good enough to overcome the formidable Browns defensive front, who made life miserable for Jordan Love all game long. But this Sunday, the Packers will not be the only team taking the field in Dallas with injuries on the offensive line. The Cowboys, too, will be without two of their own starters after rookie Tyler Booker was revealed to have suffered a high ankle sprain: Booker suffered a high ankle sprain to Dallas’ blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. While he finished the game, he is going to be out for the next 4-6 weeks. Additionally, the Packers will not have to worry about All-Pro Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who will also be out for multiple weeks with an ankle sprain. Much has been said lately of Parsons returning to Dallas for the first time since the trade. And, given how beleaguered the Cowboys offensive line is, he could be in for a big game.
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