Mavs Make $119 Million Commitment To Hall Of Famer

Unfortunately, Irving tore his ACL not long after Dallas dismissed Doncic.

This didn’t just leave their fan base further dismayed, it had a tangible effect on Irving’s value. The nine-time All-Star is often regarded as the most skilled player in NBA history. However, the ramifications of an ACL injury could affect his acceleration, especially at his age.

Of course, only time will truly tell how he bounces back. Nonetheless, there’s no question of why Irving’s deal isn’t as lucrative as it otherwise would have been. In fact, with this new contract, Irving is set to earn $39.7 million annually. That’s a lower figure than the salary ($44 million) he’ll be opting out of for the 2025-26 season.

Safety Net

With Irving projected to be out until January, the Mavericks have been exploring stop-gap solutions, if not safety nets. Again, nobody will know how he looks when he gets back until it happens. If Irving manages to make an ACL injury look like a knee sprain though, it behooves the Mavericks to acquire a player who could play alongside him. With that being said, Dallas’s supposed targets have mostly been starting-caliber players.

Jrue Holiday, who the Boston Celtics have just traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Chris Paul, who’ll be a free agent after a successful season with the San Antonio Spurs. Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton, who’s on an expiring contract. At his best, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball excels as a starter as well.

Among those players, Holiday and Paul have the best reputations. Holiday is a two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA All-Star whose defense has been highly touted. Paul, a 12-time All-Star, is the definition of a traditional point guard. However, due to their age, there’s a level of concern about durability and decline.

Speaking of injuries, Ball has only played 70 games over the past four seasons. On the flip side, he’s a principled and high IQ point guard. With his size and catch-and-shoot ability, he’s actually capable of playing multiple positions. Sexton’s the youngest of the quartet and plays with the boundless energy of a little brother at that. Nevertheless, he’s long been one of the league’s better scorers.